By Stephen Adeleye.
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke has taken a significant step to support farmers in Kogi State by providing them with agricultural inputs worth over N150 million, to help them recover from food price falls.
Dr Tunde Arosanyin, a Consultant to Faleke’s Agricultural project, disclosed this during the training and distribution of Agricultural inputs to farmers in Lokoja.
Arosanyin said the initiative was in collaboration with the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT) Lagos, and Bright-tech Resources Limited.
He emphasised that it aims to help farmers recover from losses incurred due to the recent fall in food prices.
According to him, Faleke’s project, which started in June this year, has been empowering farmers across the three senatorial districts of Kogi.
He said the project provided farmers with essential inputs like sprayers, herbicides, seeds, liquid organic fertilizer, cash assistance and other resources.
Arosanyin added that the beneficiaries also received training to build their capacity on various value chains, including cassava and fisheries.
“A total of 165 farmers from across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State will benefit from the programme.
“The project includes demonstration farms, with over 150 hectares of land cleared and prepared for farming, and motorized boreholes provided in some locations,” he said.
Arosanyin emphasised that the recent crash in food prices has been a double-edged sword for farmers.
According to him, while President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to reduce food prices have been beneficial for consumers, farmers are struggling to sell their produce at a profit.
He stressed that Faleke’s intervention aimed to address this challenge and support farmers in the state.
“The project has several benefits for the farmers, including training on best agronomic practices, enabling them to improve their productivity and efficiency.
“The beneficiaries receive cash support in addition to inputs, helping them to overcome financial challenges.
“The project also includes demonstration farms, providing farmers with hands-on experience and practical knowledge.
“By providing essential inputs and training, the project aims to help farmers recover from losses and improve their livelihoods.
“With the project’s worth over N150 million, it is expected to have a positive impact on the state’s economy and the lives of its beneficiaries,” Arosanyin said.
A beneficiary, Mr Mohammed Haruna from Lokoja LGA, commended the training, saying it has broadened their knowledge of best practices in cassava and fisheries value chains.
Haruna appreciated Faleke’s benevolent support, saying it has improved the well-being and livelihoods of farmers in Kogi State.
