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By Nneka Patient Salau in Lokoja.
Kogi State is set to witness a major boost in agricultural productivity as the government partners with the Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited (WAICF), Beebeejump International Ltd, and Chinese investors to deploy solar-powered irrigation across 10,000 hectares of farmland in the state.
The investors announced the initiative during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, in Lokoja,explaining that they would provide 60 per cent of the funding, while the government will contribute the balance.
The National President, Women in Agriculture Federated Cooperative, WAICF, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Destiny Audu, noted that the project aligns with the federation’s 29th anniversary programmes, including installation of rice mills in five local governments and training of 5,000 women and youths in agro-processing and packaging.
She stressed that solar-powered facilities would drastically reduce post-harvest losses and open new income streams for women and young people.
Responding, Ojomah who welcomed the initiative, assured that the state government would provide the necessary policy support to ensure rural farmers, women, and youths benefit fully from the project.
Contributing, the lawmakers also pledged legislative backing, promising to strengthen the legal framework that empowers women in agriculture and improves rural productivity.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
