By Noah Peters
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has flagged off dry season farming input to Farmers in Kogi State.
In a message to the flag off ceremony, the Governor represented by the Secretary to Government of Kogi State, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade said his government remain committed to development of agriculture to ensure food sufficiency in the state.
The distribution of the farm inputs and other equipment to rural farmers under the IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP-AF) was part of activities to mark the second year anniversary of the Governor in office and to boost food security in the state.
The Governor while commending the Federal Government’s FGN International Fund for Agriculture Development IFAD and VCDP which has played crucial role in supporting agriculture, said his administration is determined to make Kogi State a hub in food production in the country.
According to him, agriculture development takes the center stage in his administration hence the government would continue to improve on agriculture production to ensure availability of food for all.
In her address, the Deputy Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly and member representing Ibaji Constituency, Chief Comfort Nwochola Eqwuaba expressed satisfaction with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in making life meaningful through agriculture development, assuring that the inputs distributed to farmers in the state would assist farmers for maximum food production.
The Deputy Speaker charged benefiting farmers to protect the farm inputs to improve on agriculture production in their various communities.
State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr.Timothy Ojomah on his part 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 Development Programme VCDP in the state.
Mr Ojomah stressed that the state government’s commitment to the VCDP underscored the importance that the Governor placed on agricultural development in Kogi state.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Doctor Marcus Ogunbiyi in a message represented by Director of the ministry, Adebola Aderemi said the Federal Government would continue to accord priority to Agriculture with the assistance of International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) to improving the welfare of the people and advancing agriculture development in Kogi State.
The Permanent Secretary expressed satisfaction with the National Programme Coordinator Doctor Fatima Aliyu and the Kogi State Coordinator of the Value Chain Development Programme VCDP Doctor Stella Adejo for their commitment, resilience and deliberate efforts towards successful programme implementation of the programme.
Earlier, the National Programme Coordinator FGN IFAD and Value Chain Development Programme VCDP, Doctor Fatima Aliyu said Kogi State has consistently distinguished itself through the commitment of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in the effective implementation of the VCDP in both Dry and Wet season farming thereby increasing productivity, income and household food security.
The Managing Director, Kogi Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Doctor George Ogirima, said that the VCDP team had successfully demonstrated capacity among many agricultural programmes in the state through the support of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in the prompt payment of counterpart contributions.
Earlier, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD-VCDP, Doctor Stella Adejo 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.
According to her, the beneficiaries of the farm inputs cut across producers, processors and marketers.
Highlight of the occasion was a visit to Seeds Laboratory at the ADP Headquarters by the Governor.
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