By Ojotule Romanus
Governor Ahmed Usman Odoodo, has assured farmers in Lokoja of his administration’s support toward achieving sustainable food security in the state.
He gave the assurance when a delegation of Kupa, Kakanda and Egon farmers from Lokoja II State Constitucy, led by the Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor in Lokoja.
Governor Odoodo used the forum to unveil plans by his administration to henceforth serve as the primary offtaker that would be buying their farm produce across the various communities in Lokoja II constitucy.
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The governor also directed the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Aliyu Umar, to profile all farmers within the lokoja II State constituency for a non-interest loan so as to facilitate dry season farming in the areas.
He pointed out that his administration appreciates all farmers, particularly those across Lokoja II constitucy for their tireless contributions in ensuring food sufficiency in the state. Just as he appreciated God for creating a profession that feeds the nation. “Farmers are the richest human group in the world” he further added.
The governor deslosed that investors in the agricultural sector will also be encouraged so as to ensure that rural farmers and the real farmers get profits of what they produce promising to make available at a subsided rate, fertilizer and other farms input to farmers.
Governor Ododo also promised to address post-harvest losses witnessed during last year’s farming season; just as he stated that plans are on to create access roads to ease transportation challenges in the areas.
On the issue of insecurity in the areas, the governor said the state government was ready to engage hunters in the communities to boost security. He asked the Speaker to profile hunters that will be equipped to safeguard lives and properties in the areas.
Earlier in his address, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar, disclosed that the visit was to appreciate the governor for his prompt intervention during attacks by bandits on farmers in the area recently and to also intimate him of the many other challenges faced by the farmers in the area.
In their separate speaches, representative of the farmers, former Speaker, Rt.Abdurahman Dagana and Alhaji Balla Usma had commended the governor for his efforts in addressing security challenges in their community; just as they pleaded for the construction community roads and reduction in prices of farm inputs for them.
