By Abdul Aji
An MOU has been signed by Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Community Energy Social Enterprise Limited (CESEL) to execute an ambitious Solar Irrigation Project in Kogi State.
The collaboration is capable of creating jobs for Kogites and to empower rural communities across the State, especially where Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited (WIACF) members has identified to cultivate Rice, Maize and Cassava, etc.
According to a statement by Dr. (Mrs.) Audu Esther, Destiny National President, Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited (WIACF), the partnership and intervention comes as a result of farmers friendly Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo who recently empowered the Small Holder Farmers in the State including Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited members, as his commitment to addressing food security concerns and reducing the cost of living for Kogites.
She said the two organisations, REA and CESEL, are ready to establish Solar Irrigation Projects across the nation and Kogi State is fortunate enough through the effort of Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited for Kogi State to be chosen as pilot State.
Dr. Audu appreciated the partners for using Kogi State as a Pilot State for this great project, we promise not to disappoint them.
She said, Kogi State have all it takes to cultivate all round the year and it’s the best place to start this project, because we have fertile lands, rivers, sunshine in higher capacity and able structured farmers organisations. Kogi State is highly blessed and with this opportunity accord to us, we can feed our State, Nigeria and other Countries.
She congratulated Governor Ododo for his readiness to take agribusiness to the next level.” With what you have done for farmers within the few months in office, despite the shaking ground, it shows that you have really come to serve,” she said.
She appreciated the Governor on behalf of Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited and all the Small Holder Farmers in Kogi State.
She said: “This is our time (farmers) to be whom God want us to be through agribusiness, let us not misuse this great opportunity.
“Let us put sentiment aside and focus on what brought us together as co-operators in agricultural industry, let take agriculture as a serious business to enable us contribute our quota to the development of our State.”