The Kogi Ministry of Agriculture, under its State Partnership for Agriculture (SPA) programme, has developed a policy document to drive agriculture in the state.
Dr Isah Ochepa, a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, disclosed this at the monthly meeting of the state Agriculture Vision Group (AVG) and the Agriculture Innovation Group (AIG) on Wednesday in Lokoja.
Ochepa said that the policy framework, developed in partnership with Synergos Nigeria, was aimed at ensuring robust agribusiness, investments and economic diversification.
He said the agribusiness strategy guideline, initiated by the state Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BPPP), was designed to promote the agricultural agenda of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s administration.
He said that if the synergy being created through the document came into fruition, the state would be the agricultural hub of the country.
The permanent secretary said that the policy would enhance production, marketing of produce, off-shore processes as well as attract investors to the state.
The Country Director of Synergos Nigeria, Adewale Ajadi, said work on the document started few months ago with active collaboration with the BPPP, AVG and AIG.
The country director who was represented by Mr Victor Adejoh, Synergos Field Manager for Kogi, Benue and Kaduna, States, said the document aimed at regulating and driving agribusiness in the state.
Ajadi said Synergos was playing a catalytic role in helping the state to develop policies that would reposition agriculture as business and do away with subsistence farming.
“This is the first time a policy guideline has evolved through an all-inclusive and participatory process here.
“What we have here today is the validation of a document with all stakeholders and key intervening MDAs, financial institutions, processors and farmers.
“Once the document is signed by the governor, it becomes a tool for promoting agribusiness and will better position the state to woo investors and more collaboration,” he said.
(NAN)
