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Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Kehinde Oloruntoba has assured Kogi people that 100,000 persons will be empowered in the state’s agric revolution before end of 2017.
Oloruntoba made this known while fielding questions from newsmen.
He stated that Governor Yahaya Bello has enlisted Agriculture as one of the five thematic contraptions to drive Kogi State economy since his first day in office.
“Months after Governor Bello’s inauguration, he proceeded to declare a state of emergency in the agriculture sector and consequently gave a mandate that the ministry should empower no figure less than 100,000 Kogians before the end of December, 2017. As at today, we have been able to enroll 5,000 farmers under our Anchor Borrower Scheme and also in the process of recruiting 12,000 more farmers before month end”, he said.
He spoke extensively on the Omi dam facility that has been abandoned for decades since its construction by the Federal Government and how the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello has decided to optimize its utility.
“Governor Bello has approved the construction of a 50 tonnes per day rice mill and 1,000 hectares of rice farmland to engage the usage of the water facility. While hundreds of farmers have commenced activities of rice plantation, others will join up soon so as to actualize the vision of the present administration to launch her first rice brand – Confluence Rice by December 2017.
“We are also about to complete the construction of 500 earthen ponds around the dam which will be handed over to fish farmers. Our plan is to hold the first KOGI FISH FESTIVAL soon which will usher in international investors who would have had the ample opportunity to gauge the State’s economic potential during their visit”, he added.
When asked about the World Bank assisted FADAMA project, which he described as a laudable one, he asserted that there are about 4,000 Hectares of rice farmlands and 5,000 Hectares of Cassava farmlands all scattered across the 21 LGAs of the State and belonging to rural dwellers cum beneficiaries of the initiative.
He also emphasized on the existing collaboration of the State Government with FADAMA to clear and lease out the over 300,000 hectares of farmland in Alape to youths that are willing to work at one person per hectare.
While commenting on the Alape facility, he said that “the land is suitable for Cassava plantation which is yet insufficient to meet up with the take-off demand of the crop in the market. One Unicane Industries Limited along Jamata road and another Crest Agro Ethanol Processing factory at Koton Karfe will be needing more than 1,000 tonnes of Cassava on daily basis hence, there is ready market”, he explained.
On the imperatives of strict mechanized farming, he said Governor Yahaya Bello has approved the procurement of more tractors and they are expected to clear them from the port on the 14th of July. These machines will be needed to ensure a wider pace of farmland clearing across the 21 LGAs of the State which will be given to farmers for more Cassava cultivation.
In response to the question that bothered on youth empowerment and employment, the Commissioner was quick to point out the hallmark of the government’s effort in the ministry which is to create job opportunities for youths and women in particular and also to create wealth for the State.
“All our programs are centered around youths because they have enormous strength and are learned. Those of them that are willing to work will be assisted and in fact, they will make more money than sitting in offices”
Mr Oloruntoba narrated his experience in Lagos some weeks back while in a meeting with Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
According to him, the Nigerian business mogul remarked that “the real MMM is farming”. He also insisted that if Nigeria is indeed willing to diversify her economy, then every Nigerian States must be ready to invest hugely in Agriculture.
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