By Maryam Abubakar Gulma
Lokoja.
The Kogi State Government has intensified efforts to tackle hunger and strengthen food security with the distribution of improved agricultural inputs and mechanisation equipment to 572 farmers selected across five local government areas in the state.
The inputs were distributed under the International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP).
The distribution, carried out on Tuesday at the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) headquarters in Lokoja, was implemented through a partnership involving the Kogi State Government, the Federal Government and IFAD as part of the 2026 wet season farming programme.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Timothy Ojoma, described the exercise as another major milestone in the state’s drive to improve food security, increase agricultural productivity and promote inclusive economic growth.
He said the initiative reflects Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s unwavering commitment to empowering farmers, encouraging investment in agriculture, strengthening rural development and improving livelihoods across communities in the state.
According to the commissioner, sustained investment in agriculture remains the surest path to securing the state’s future prosperity, stability and food security.
Ojoma commended IFAD for its longstanding partnership with the state, noting that the organisation’s interventions have significantly improved farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs, strengthened cooperatives, promoted climate-smart farming practices, supported agricultural value chains and enhanced rural infrastructure and livelihoods.
Also speaking, the State Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Stella Ojone Adejoh, lauded Governor Ododo for the prompt approval and release of the state’s 2026 counterpart funding for the programme.
She said the timely support demonstrated the governor’s strong commitment to sustaining collaboration with the Federal Government and IFAD, ensuring that Kogi farmers continue to benefit from impactful agricultural development initiatives.
Dr. Adejoh stressed that the exercise was more than the distribution of farm inputs and equipment, describing it as a collective commitment to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, creating jobs, strengthening food security and accelerating agricultural transformation across the state.
She explained that IFAD-VCDP remains focused on transforming rural economies through sustainable, market-oriented agricultural value chains by empowering smallholder farmers with improved technologies, quality inputs, mechanisation and better market access.
According to her, the programme believes that adequately supported farmers can become successful agribusiness entrepreneurs capable of driving economic growth and enhancing national food security.
She disclosed that the 572 beneficiaries were drawn from Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Kabba/Bunu, Lokoja and Olamaboro local government areas.
The beneficiaries received improved inputs for rice and cassava production, while mechanisation support included 42 mini cargo tricycles and six heavy-duty cargo tricycles to facilitate farm operations and transportation.
Dr. Adejoh urged the beneficiaries to utilise the support judiciously, reminding them that the intervention was an opportunity not only to increase crop production but also to build sustainable agribusinesses, generate employment, improve household incomes and contribute to food and nutrition security in Kogi State and Nigeria.
Representing the National Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Alhaji Hamza Shehu said the intervention would significantly increase agricultural productivity, expand income opportunities, strengthen the resilience of farming households and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of rural communities.
He noted that the fertilisers and improved rice seeds would enable farmers to achieve higher yields during the 2026 wet season, while the cargo tricycles would ease the movement of farm inputs and harvested produce, reduce post-harvest losses and improve access to markets.
The latest intervention reinforces the Ododo administration’s resolve to leverage strategic partnerships and sustained investment in agriculture to enhance food production, reduce hunger and stimulate rural economic development across Kogi State.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
