The Kogi State Government has intensified collaboration with federal agencies and international partners to reposition agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy, enhance food security, and promote agricultural exports.
This renewed drive followed a working visit to Geregu in Ajaokuta Local Government Area, where government officials, agriculture experts, and investors inspected farm sites and engaged stakeholders on opportunities for mechanised farming and market expansion.
Leading the delegation, the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, said the initiative reflects Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s vision of leveraging agriculture to create jobs, empower farmers, and strengthen the state’s economy.
“Our Governor has always said we must produce what we eat and eat what we produce. With mechanisation, innovation, and the right partnerships, Kogi will not only feed its people but also support neighbouring states and even export. Agriculture remains our best path to job creation, especially for the thousands of graduates our universities produce every year,” Ojomah stated.
Also speaking during the visit, the Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture, Mr. Mathew Ajayi, said the collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national food security agenda and the federal government’s efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.
“Nigeria spends billions of dollars annually on food imports. Our goal is to reverse this trend by promoting key crops like rice, maize, soybeans, and other export oriented produce. This partnership with Kogi State and Onida Agri will help us achieve that and unlock billions in agricultural export revenue,” Ajayi said.
The Director-General of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Hon. Victor Omofaiye, underscored the importance of ensuring farmers get fair prices and access to export markets through the commodity exchange platform.
“Our mandate is to improve food security, facilitate access to markets, and promote agricultural exports. By ensuring our farmers are not shortchanged, we will help transform crops like rice into globally competitive export products,” he added.
On his part, the Managing Director of Onida Agri and Aquaculture Solutions Ltd., Mr. Israel Kidron, highlighted Kogi’s agricultural potential, citing fertile land and abundant water resources as major advantages for modern farming.
“We came to Kogi because it has all the parameters for successful agriculture. We aim to establish year round, technology driven farming operations supported by improved varieties and mechanisation. We are also committed to training local farmers and transferring knowledge to boost productivity and quality,” Kidron said.
Kidron noted that Onida Agri, with over 35 years of agricultural experience in Africa and 15 years in Nigeria, is committed to supporting Kogi State in achieving food security while positioning its produce for global export markets.
The partnership is expected to extend across several local government areas, generating employment, empowering farmers, and positioning Kogi as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation value chain.
