The National President of Kogi Farmers Association of Nigeria (KOFAN), Comrade Matthew M. Zakari, said the Federal Government has been proactive to its agricultural transformation agenda; more so that it recently released N26 billion for 2015 dry sea son farming across the country.
The KOFAN President, however, called on the third tier of governments in Kogi State to complement the efforts of state and federal governments in agric transformation to reduce unemployment of agile youths by 96 percent.
Comrade Zakari made the call in Lokoja last week while fielding questions from The Graphic; as he also ‘’on behalf of farmers, youths, widows and orphans in the state,’’ commended Governor Idris Wada for boosting rice and cassava production in the state.
He opined that ‘’if the local governments key into agric transformation agenda of the federal and state governments, unemployment of youths will be reduced by 96% because even graduates can take active part in farming.’’
While saying KOFAN is the only recognisable and formidable agric association in the state ‘’because others have factions,’’ he appealed to both the federal and state governments to enable KOFAN members have access to bank loans to boost agriculture in the state,
The KOFAN President held that ‘’if all the three tiers of government play complementary roles in agriculture, the state economy would be greatly improved.’’
He described the recent Peoples Democratic Party presidential rally in the state as peaceful stressing that, ‘’Kogi farmers will support a party that promotes agriculture.’’
He called on farmers in the state to remain focused, adding that KOFAN executive members in the state, senatorial and zonal levels would prioritise their needs.
Culled from The Graphic
