The Kogi State Government has expanded its agricultural initiative, setting aside 30,000 hectares for farming to boost food production and enhance food security.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Timothy Ojomah, disclosed this in Lokoja, revealing that the state had previously allocated 8,000 hectares in 2024 but decided to scale up due to the program’s success.
“The result of last year is evident from the Bureau of Statistics—food prices in Kogi have dropped significantly, placing the state at the bottom of the national ranking for high food costs,” Ojomah stated.
With over 60,000 farmers already applying for the land, he noted that the government’s intervention has sparked enthusiasm among farmers, driving an increase in production.
However, Kogi has introduced a Free Trade Zone initiative, securing partnerships with Chinese companies and the World Bank to establish processing industries that will enhance value addition, packaging, and export of farm produce.
To further strengthen the sector, Governor Ahmed Ododo has approved a three-month smart agriculture training for 50 youths, who will, in turn, train others to maximize the agricultural value chain.
The government is also expanding the Omi Dam to support 4,000 hectares of rice production for the Alape Rice Mill, in partnership with Silvex International, a major player in mechanized rice farming and export.
“With these initiatives, Kogi is set to become a major hub for food production, and the governor is committed to making agriculture the backbone of the state’s economy,” Ojomah added.