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By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has provided twenty five trucks of fertilizer to Farmers in Kogi State, north central Nigeria.
The Managing Director of Kogi State Agricultural Development Project, Mr. George Ogirima, said the distribution of the fertilizers to local farmers in Kogi State was part of federal government efforts to increase food production in this year’s wet season farming.
Mr. Ogirima said at the distribution in Lokoja that the 20 trucks of fertilizer to farmers in the 21 local government areas of the state would boost food production in the state.
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, performed the flag off at the agricultural development project office in Lokoja on Saturday.
Governor Ododo reiterated government commitment to developing the agricultural sector in the state.
Governor Ododo described the event as, “a fulfilling moment for me as a leader who is committed to serving the state in the best interest of the people.”
The Governor warned against diversion, inequitable distribution and exclusion of genuine farmers, promising to deal decisively with anyone involved in acts of sabotage in the distribution of the fertilizer across the state.
“Let me warn everyone here today that this must not be politicized. It must go to the real farmers only.
“I will be intentional in tracking these bags of fertilizer to ensure they are in the right places in the right quantity, at the right time and in the right hands of our dear farmers.
The era of politicians hijacking fertilizers is over.”
Ododo described agriculture as a critical sector with huge potential to develop the Nigerian economy, with Nigeria’s expansive land mass, water bodies and current political will to invest in the agricultural sector to enhance local food production in Nigeria.
The Governor announced allocation of 50 per cent of the current batch of the state’s supply of fertilizers to farmers in Ibaji and Bassa local government areas, where there are more clusters of farmers in the Eastern Senatorial District of the state as he promised to extend more patronage to all genuine farmers in the state.
Ododo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his tireless efforts to reverse the current economic challenges through increased funding of agricultural production in all states of the federation.
While appreciating the continued support of the administration to farmers in Kogi state, the Governor assured the farming communities that his administration would sustain its investment commitment in food production in the state.
Kogi State commissioner for agriculture and food security, Mr. Timothy Ojomah, expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for his numerous interventions that have positioned Kogi State as a major food producing state in Nigeria.
Source: VON