As part of activities to commemorate his one year in office as the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, has distributed farm inputs and other equipment to rural farmers under the IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP-AF) to boost food security in the state.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, who flagged off the distribution on behalf of the Governor in Lokoja, said the farm inputs are essential for agricultural production to help farmers increase crop yields, and enhance overall efficiency in the cassava and rice value chain in the state.
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Ojomah stressed that the state government’s commitment to the VCDP underscored the importance that the Governor placed on agricultural development in Kogi.
The commissioner noted that over 10,000 farmers across the 21 local government areas of the state, had received support through various initiatives under Ododo’s administration.
He added that the State Government empowered over 1,200 cassava farmers in its intervention in 2024, including; tractorization, imput provision and some extension services to farmers in the state.
The commissioner said that the governor’s various initiatives in agriculture, had started yielding massive results in boosting food security in the state
Ojomah reaffirmed Gov. Ododo’s administration commitment to paying its counterpart funds to enable VCDP continue to empower smallholder farmers at the grassroots in the state. He described IFAD/VCDP as a unique programme that touches the lives of rural communities positively.
He, therefore advised the beneficiaries not to sell the tools but rather make judicious use of them to boost food security and enhance overall efficiency in agricultural development in the state and the country at large.
The commissioner commended the state programme coordinator and her team for their resilience, adding that under her leadership, Kogi rural farmers had benefited greatly from the IFAD/VCDP.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Kogi Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Mr George Ogirima, said that the VCDP team had successfully demonstrated capacity among many agricultural programmes in the state.
Ogirima equally promised to always be on ground to give needed support to VCDP Programme.
Earlier, Dr Stella Adejoh, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD-VCDP, commended the governor for his unwavering support and commitment to the VCDP activities in the state.
She attributed the modest achievements recorded by the VCDP in Kogi to the supportive role played by the State Government, IFAD and the entire stakeholders.
Dr Stella further noted that the equipment and starter packs distribution was a demonstration of the programme ‘s total commitment and alignment with His Excellency’s drive for zero tolerance to hunger and starvation in the state.
According to her, the beneficiaries of the farm inputs cut across producers, processors and marketers along the cassava and rice value chain across the five pilot benefiting local government areas.
“We are celebrating a significant milestone in Governor Ahmed Ododo’s tenure as he celebrates one year in office.
“To commemorate this occasion, the governor is distributing farm tools to Kogi VCDP farmers, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to empowering rural communities and boosting agricultural productivity.
“This initiative is a testament to Governor Ododo’s vision for Kogi State, where agriculture plays a vital role in driving economic growth and ensuring food security.
“By providing farmers with essential tools and resources, the agriculture-friendly governor is enabling them to enhance their yields, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the state’s prosperity.
“As our Governor, the Chief Servant of Kogi State, continues to prioritize the welfare of Kogi’s farmers, his administration’s efforts to transform the agricultural sector are yielding tangible results.
“The distribution of farm tools is a shining example of his dedication to inclusive growth and development,” Dr Stella said.
Some of beneficiaries, Bagi Grace, Bilikisu Yusuf and Gabriel Otohinoyi, expressed their appreciation to the governor for prioritising food security through his continued support for the IFAD VCDP-AF programmes for rural farmers in the state.
“We are very grateful to our governor for the gesture, and we promise to make judicious use of the farm tools,” Gabriel said.
Items distributed include: power tillers, motorcycles, solar powered sprayer; pumping, welding and grinding machines; sealing machines, cassava chipping machines, rice planters, handheld reapers, among others.
Additionally, Starter packs were also distributed to youths who were trained by the Kogi VCDP on income generating activities.
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