Towards creating jobs and food security in Kogi State, the present administration in the state says it will make Agriculture the fulcrum of its administration.
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, gave the hints during the harvest of the accelerated rice farming which was started in December last year in the State.
The Accelerated Rice farming which the Deputy Governor noted is a pet project of Capt Idris Wada, will now be a yearly program, and also be replicated in the nine local Government Areas affected by last year’s flood.
The program which Awoniyi explained has received world attention in its first year of practice in the state, has the capacity of providing several jobs, will make available food for domestic uses and later for export to other markets.
Aside the Rice initiative, the state will also place emphasis on the growth of Cassava, and other crops the state has comparative advantage over, said a total of 5250 hectares of cleared land across the state will lead to the realization of the State’s Agriculture Revolution.
Awoniyi commended the strong enthusiasm of farmers for the rice project, says towards the sustenance of the laudable project, the state will be ready to partner with Multi Nationals and private interest under a Public Private Partnership and Joint Venture arrangement.
Earlier, Dr Femi Abolarin, the Commissioner for Agriculture, described the accelerated rice project in the state as a multiplication centre for paddy rice in the country.
He described the state as top in the dry season farming in the country,said the rice been harvested where planted a hundred and twenty days ago.
Also speaking, Dr Ameh John Onoja, Managing Director of Kogi State ADP, said birds and access roads in the farm are major challenge.
Dr Ameh commended the strong drive of the Kogi State Government adding that the unwavering support from the state government is reason behind the success of the rice project in the state.
Highlight of the visit to the farm by the Deputy Governor was the harvesting of rice by Yomi Awoniyi.
