By George George Idowu
The Commissioner for Agriculture in Kogi State, Mr. Timothy Ojoma has disclosed that the state government has designated 1,200 hectares of land to ramp up cassava cultivation.
He announced this during the inauguration of the State Executive Council of the Cassava Cottage Processing Marketing Association (CACOPMAN) in Lokoja on Wednesday.
Ojoma affirmed the government’s commitment to contribute 80% of the resources necessary for this endeavor, including tractors, improved stems, fertilizers, chemicals, and land preparation across 48 areas in the state’s three senatorial districts.
He said: “We’re also bolstering extension services by deploying over 1,000 workers to disseminate timely information to our farmers, including guidance on cassava cultivation, as well as interventions in rice and maize production.”
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He emphasized the importance of translating agricultural information into local languages to ensure widespread comprehension and implementation, particularly regarding climate change adaptation strategies.
Ojoma revealed the state government’s plans to conduct biometric registration of all farmers to enhance data management.
In response, CACOPMAN National President, Mr. Segun Ilori urged the new executive council to prioritize enhancing cassava production.
Also reacting, Alhaji Salihu Adobauji, State President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), urged cassava farmers to persevere through economic challenges and contribute to food security.
On the part of the new state CACOPMAN chairman, Ufana Hussein, he underscored cassava’s potential to drive industrialization in Kogi State and Nigeria, citing various products such as starch, cooking gas, organic fertilizer, and animal feeds derived from cassava processing.
