By Victoria Okpanachi
Kogi State Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), has held its second edition of the Commodity Fair, aimed at enhancing food security and promoting agricultural development.
The programme which is Federal Government/IFAD assisted, was held at the Muhammad Buhari Square on Monday in Lokoja, with the purpose of interacting with value chain operators and stakeholders across the agricultural sector in the State.
In her welcome remark, the State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Stella Adejoh (PhD), emphasised the Fair’s significance as a platform to showcase their products and exchange knowledge.
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With the theme: “Incentivising Smallholder Farmers to Scale for the Attainment of Food Security and Opportunities Ahead,” this year’s Fair highlighted the pivotal role of smallholder farmers in achieving sustainable food systems.
Dr. Adejoh underscored the State’s abundant agricultural potential, stressing that efforts are being made to integrate Kogi into regional and international markets.
She elaborated on the Fair’s objectives, which include improving the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural produce while ensuring the country’s food security remains uncompromised.
According to her, the event seeks to showcase the value addition on products like rice and cassava from the farmers, and some processing equipment that can handle post harvest losses.
She appreciated the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his timely payment of counterpart funds, which is responsible for the level of success being witnessed in the State.
Speaking during the event, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Honourable Timothy Ojomah, described smallholder farmers as the backbone of agriculture, while emphasising their vital role in achieving food sufficiency.
Hon. Ojomah commended the state Governor for his support in advancing farming activities, revealing that this year alone, over 10,000 farmers across the 21 Local Government Areas of the State have received support through various initiatives.
Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Bello Ogirma, Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Project (ADP), praised the initiative, describing it as a historic milestone in the state’s agricultural journey.
Dr. Ogirma noted that the Project has made remarkable progress, moving from one success to another. “Every local government that has benefited from the VCDP/IFAD project has tangible results to showcase,” he said, while calling for sustained collaboration to ensure the continued success of the programme.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of grinding machines to some persons with disabilities, who are also a captured group in the programme and display of processed food produce and agricultural equipment. Participants at the Fair expressed optimism about the opportunities it provided.
