Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has declared that investment in agriculture by the state government is a critical step towards poverty eradication in the state.
The governor stated this when he flagged off this year’s wet season farming in Gergu, Ajaokuta local government area of the state.
A statement by his spokesperson Ismail Isah said Governor Ododo also presented over 100 tractors to serve about 10,000 farmers in different farming communities in the 21 local government areas in the state.
The statement quoted the Governor Ododo as saying that 75 percent of the total farmland cleared for cultivation in this year’s farming season will be allocated to youth and women farmers.
“The Governor noted that over 90 per cent of the land area in the state is arable, just as he promised to make Kogi a leading state in agricultural production and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s economy, “ the statement saaid
“According to Governor Ododo:”Across the 21 local government areas of the state, we are opening farmlands and preparing more land for cultivation of crops like rice, maize, cassava, yam and other staple food crops and grains.
“We have also procured farm implements for full scale agricultural mechanization in line with our agenda to ensure food security in the state.
“Our youth are beginning to embrace agriculture as a credible source of wealth creation and our women in agriculture are already on the field because of their believe in our commitment to transform the agricultural sector in the state.
“I call on wealthy Kogites at home and abroad to begin to explore the window of opportunities that abound in the agro industry.
“The Governor noted that the state government has invested over 7 Billion Naira in farm implements with over 100 tractors to cultivate 7,324 hectares by about 10,000 farmers across the 21 local government areas in the state in the current farming season.”
