By Thompson Yamput
The Federal Government says its priority is on massive food exportation against Nigeria’s dependence on food imports that cost fortunes, a Presidential aide disclosed.
Mr Matthew Ajayi, Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture, made the remarks at a working visit to Geregu in Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Kogi, where government officials and a delegation of agriculture experts and investors inspected some farms.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit by agencies and investors, including Onida Agri and Aquaculture Solutions Ltd., was to engage stakeholders on opportunities for mechanised farming and market expansion to boost food security and agro-export
Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State
Ajayi explained that the Kogi government and investors partnership aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda and efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.
“Nigeria spends billions of dollars annually on food imports but not again. Our goal is to reverse this trend by promoting crops like rice, maize, soybeans, and cash crops for export.
“This partnership with Kogi and Onida Agri will help us achieve that and generate billions of dollars in agricultural exports,” he asserted.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Timothy Ojomah, who led the team, said the initiative reflected Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s vision of leveraging the state’s resources in agriculture to create jobs, empower farmers, and strengthen the economy.
Ojomah quoted Ododo of always emphasising on “We must produce what we eat and eat what we produce.”
He said that with mechanisation, innovation, and the right partnerships, Kogi would not only feed its people but also support neighbouring states and possibly have enough to export.
“Agriculture remains our best path to job creation, especially for the thousands of graduates produced every year in our universities,” he said.
He said the partnership is expected to extend across some councils in the state, providing employment opportunities, empowering farmers, and driving Kogi’s emergence as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation value chain.
The Director-General, Kogi Commodity Exchange, Victor Omofaiye, said the role of the agency is ensuring farmers got fair market prices and access to export opportunities.
“Our mandate is to improve food security, establish a commodity exchange, and promote export. By creating market accessibility, we will ensure our farmers are not shortchanged,” Omofaiye said.
In his response, Managing Director of Onida Agri and Aquaculture Solutions Ltd , Israel Kidron, described Kogi as a prime location for modern farming due to its fertile land and abundant water.
“We came to Kogi because it has all the parameters for successful agriculture through year-round operations, supported by technology, better varieties, and mechanisation.
“Onida Agri and Aquaculture Solutions Ltd , with over 35 years of agricultural experience in Africa and 15 years in Nigeria, is committed to supporting Kogi in achieving food security while positioning its crops for international export markets.” NAN
