By Correspondent in Lokoja.
The Kogi State Government has commenced the distribution of fertilizer worth ₦3.2 billion to support over 30,000 farmers across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Timothy Ojomah, disclosed this during an interaction with the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah.
The initiative , according to the commissioner,is aimed at boosting productivity in key crop value chains such as rice, maize, and cassava, as part of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s agricultural development agenda.
Ojomah stated that the beneficiaries were carefully selected through a comprehensive enumeration and verification process conducted in 2024.
This process involved collaboration with commodity associations and other stakeholders to identify genuine farmers in all parts of the state,he added.
The commissioner stated that the fertilizer distribution is complemented by a robust capacity-building component to ensure proper application of the water-soluble fertilizers being provided.
He noted that the state had earlier invested in the training and retraining of farmers, supported by the deployment of extension workers who continue to offer technical guidance and monitor fertilizer usage in farming communities.
In a statement from the Government House Media Team, a copy of which was made available to The Reporters on Thursday, the commissioner disclosed that the earlier training sessions brought together members of various commodity associations.
He explained that the training adopted a “train-the-trainer” model, enabling participants to cascade the knowledge to other farmers within their clusters.
Ojomah reaffirmed the Ododo administration’s commitment to agricultural development and food security, stressing that the government remains focused on equipping farmers with both modern inputs and practical knowledge to ensure increased productivity and sustainable growth in the sector.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
