Candidate of Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the November governorship election in Kogi state, Dr. Samson Agada Omale has promised to revolutionize the state’s agricultural sector if elected.
Speaking with our reporter in Lokoja on Wednesday, Dr. Omale noted that when fully developed, Kogi’s agricultural potentials can create “five Lagos economies”.
He stated that Netherlands as a country exports vegetables and earn more revenue than what Nigeria generate from crude oil.
“If we develop the untapped and unused agricultural and in Kogi state, we can produce five ‘Lagos economies’.
“Netherlands as a country exports vegetables. Netherlands is ranked 23rd highest producer of vegetables in the world, Nigeria is ranked 7th. The problem is we produce for consumption, not export. What Netherlands generate from vegetables annually is higher than what Nigeria makes from crude oil. In Kogi, we have medicinal and exotic vegetables that are not even farmed anywhere in the world.
“Ukraine feeds many nations with grains. The Russia-Ukraine war has revealed that many nations rely on Ukraine for grains.
“Aside vegetables, Kogi produces 65% of cashew nuts in Nigeria, yet we don’t have processing factories for this product. There are about 12 to 15 value chains from cashew alone,” he said.
Dr. Omale promised to seek major investments and export markets in all value chains for which Kogi State enjoys a significant advantage.
“These include cassava-to-ethanol, processed cashew, oil palm value chain, and fruits processing among others,” he added.
The YPP governorship candidate assured Kogi electorate of his avowed commitment to turn the fortunes of the state around for good
