By correspondent in Lokoja.
The Kogi government says it has set aside 30,000 hectares of land for farming activities in the state to boost food production.
Mr Timothy Ojomah, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, disclosed this in a chat with the correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in Lokoja.
Ojomah said that the hectares of land would be allocated to farmers to ensure all year-round farming activities in the state.
He said the government had allocated 8,000 hectares in 2024, and decided to increase the size to 30,000 hectares to ensure massive food production and food security in the state.
The commissioner said: “the result of last year is obvious, given the records from the Bureau of Statistics.
“The prices of food items have reduced drastically in the state compared to what we experienced in 2024.
“Kogi stands at the bottom now in the ranking of states with high cost of food items.
“We used to be at the top in the ranking, however, the massive increase in food production is already changing the narrative.
“We are scaling up what we did last year and the farmers are already motivated by the intervention from government.
“We have already received more than 60,000 requests for the 30,000 hectares earmarked, which speaks about the enthusiasm and motivation of the farmers.
“More people are embracing farming in the state and looking forward to how the government can help them to improve food production.”
Ojomah also disclosed that the state government had birthed a special concept of Free Trade Zones and signed agreement with some group of Chinese companies and the World Bank to set up industries that could process its farm produce.
He also said that Gov. Ahmed Ododo recently approved a three months smart agriculture training for 50 youths from the state.
“When they return, they will equally train others to ensure that the state derived the desired benefits of the value chain in agriculture – processing, packaging, and exporting of our products.
“As we speak, arrangements are being concluded to expand the Omi Dam for production of 4,000 hectares of rice that can feed our rice mill (Alape Rice Mill), ” he said.
Ojomah, said the Gov. Ododo led government was partnering with Silvex International to set up a very large rice farm in the area.
“Silvex International is an experienced company in rice production, processing, and export.
“With the dam in the area, we are going to have full mechanised farming and all year-round rice farming,”he said.
The commissioner appreciated the governor’s foresight in developing the agricultural sector to enhance food production in the state.
“The governor has pledged that Kogi state will be vast in food production, ” he said.
