Food and Agriculture
Federal Government Trains Kogi Rice Farmers on Modern Processing Techniques
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has taken a significant step towards improving the livelihoods of farmers in Kogi State by organizing a two-day training on modern rice processing techniques. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Speaking during the practical session at ASCO Rice Processing Centre Ajaokuta, Mr Inakwu Joseph, Principal Agric Officer, FMAFS, Department of Extension Services, Abuja, said the training is aimed at ensuring higher quality, high nutritional value, and high market values.
According to Joseph, the initiative is part of the federal government’s efforts to improve farmers’ well-being and livelihoods and ensure food security in Kogi and Nigeria at large.
He emphasised that the federal government’s intention for the program is to make youths develop more interest in agriculture, beyond production, to value addition, which brings more money to improve their well-being and livelihoods.
“So, it is in the wisdom of President Bola Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda in Agriculture, that we should further carry out value addition, improve food processing.
“The training, which started with a theoretical aspect, is now engaging participants practically on the field to practicalize what they have learnt,” Joseph said.
He advised the beneficiaries to put the knowledge they acquired into practice and cascade the training to other farmers in the state.
Mrs Adejoke Subair, Kogi State Coordinator, FMAFS, said the training is to add value to rice production from paddy to finished product for consumption.
Subair stated that the training which started with theoretical aspects, now focuses on practical sessions, introducing modern rice processing methods.
She noted that the benefits include improved rice quality, meeting international market standards, and enhancing food security for availability , affordability and sustainability.
She advised beneficiaries to put their knowledge into practice.
Engr. Gabriel Ojima Salifu, Resource Person for the training, said the training is targeting youths and women involved in rice processing to boost the quality of rice processing, which determines the market value of the rice.
He said the training has introduced viable modern rice processing methods to the processors, starting from cleaning of the paddy, soaking, parboiling using the steaming method.
Salifu noted that the training involves modern equipment like industrial boilers and washing Troughs, Parboiling Tanks and Bed Dryers which determine the quality of parboiled rice.
“The training is designed for 20 Lead Rice Processors, who will cascade the training to other farmers in the state,” Salifu said.
The beneficiaries commended the Federal Government and Kogi State Government for the training, saying it would greatly improve the quality of their rice processing and market values.
Mrs Blessing Samuel, a rice farmer, said the training introduced them to effective methods for quality rice production, boosting output and market value.
“We have been enlightened to know that the previous methods we have been using in our rice processing are not good enough.
“The training has had introduced us to effective and very productive methods of rice processing to have quality rice with higher nutritional and market value,” Samuel said
Mrs Pauline Agada praised the initiative, while Mohammed Ibrahim Danjuma called for financial empowerment to cascade the training effectively.
The training is part of the federal government’s efforts to improve food security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in Agriculture for food sufficiency.
Author Profile
- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Food and Agriculture
Kogi Vows To Invest More In Cashew Business For Job Creation, Others
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Following the current high rate of unemployment bedeviling Nigeria, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state has given an assurance that his administration will invest more in Cashew Business as alternative source of survival for the people. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Ododo maintained that apart from job creation, Cashew Value Chain has the potential of boosting the state’s socio-economic and industrial development.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance while flagging off the 2026 Cashew Season and Unveiling of Kogi Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, 2025, as well as Distribution of five million Hybrid Cashew Seedlings to Farmers, held at the Government House, Lokoja on Friday.
The launch was organized by the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA) in collaboration with Agro Trading Consult Limited (ATCL) to commence the activities of this year’s Cashew farming in the state.
According to Governor Ododo “My administration is encouraging investment in Cashew Production in large scale commercial as it remains the most valuable cash crops and a major player in wealth creation, socio-economic and industrial development of a given society.
“Our focus as a government should shift from emphasis in politics to large scale investment in cash crops especially Cashew Production, Packaging, Processing, Branding and Structured Grades”
He noted that Cashew could be used as food, medicine, industrial purpose, agriculture, and cosmetic amongst others hence the need for heavy investment in the sector in view of its enormous value to human existence.
The Governor warned against stakeholders who embark on unregistered and illegal middle men in Cashew Business and other mining activities in the state to desist forth with or be ready to face prosecution.
“Stakeholders should endeavor to follow due process by getting themselves registered as any person found violating this government policy will be made to face the full wrath of the law”
The Director-general of Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency, KOSCEPA, Victor Omofaiye in his welcome address, outlined the benefits of cashew to include; promotion of local cashew processing industries for job creation, enhancement of quality control and maintenance of Kogi’s reputation as a top cashew processing state, establishment of a structural and traceable cashew marketing system, increasing state revenue through organized trade and export levies and showcasing Kogi state cashew to the world.
Omofaiye also enumerated measures put in place to ensure Cashew Nuts quality control and regulation as follows:
*No foreigner is allowed to purchase we raw Cashew Nuts
*All buyers and exporters of Cashew nuts within Kogi state shall register with Agro trading Consult Limited in order to qualify for participation in the 2026 Cashew season
*The use of the Kogi state customized jute bag is sacrosanct, as without it no Cashew nut is permitted to leave the state
*All licensed buying agents must grant access for grading and inspection of all Cashew within the Agro Trading Consult Limited accredited warehouses for quality certification purposes
*Fumigation of all ATCL accredited warehouses for storing cashew is mandatory
*Payment of all regulatory levies is sacrosanct
*Shaking of cashew trees to reduce early harvest is strictly prohibited
Kogi State’s Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Muktar Shaibu, in his remarks, praised Governor Ododo policy on poverty reduction in the state through agriculture particularly in Cashew Production.
According to the commissioner “Kogi people will remain supportive of this laudable policy which has brought relief and smiles on their faces”
The Ata’Igala and President of Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty Matthew Opaluwa, who also spoke at the event, hailed Governor Ododo’s efforts to increase Farmers wealth through investment in agriculture.
His Royal Majesty who was represented by Onu Itobe, Chief Salifu Ocholi, declared the traditional Rulers solidarity and loyalty to Governor Ododo’s administration in view of his numerous achievements in uplifting the living standard of the people within the short period in office.
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Food and Agriculture
AFAN President Charges Members On Improving Capacity Of Farmers
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The National President of All Farmers Association Of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr Farouq Rabiu Mudi, has charged the state chapter of AFAN to double their efforts to improve the capacity of all farmers in the state. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
Dr Rabiu made the call at the inauguration of the state chapter of AFAN led by a retired Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi.
He said farmers in Kogi State had all the potentials to produce for the country and for export stressing that the state has enough arable land and favorable climate.
The President commended that the new chairman for his proven track record which he has exhibited in the inauguration of the state executive in a record time adding that if it is only those with capacity that can do such.
He admonished him not to relax but do everything possible to ensure that the all the farmers in the state no matter where the residue are are carried along.
Author Profile
- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Food and Agriculture
Kogi L‑PRES Trains 300 Livestock Extension Workers, Farmers, Community Service Providers
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L‑PRES), has commenced a capacity‑building workshop to mainstream Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Participatory Learning Action (PLA) methodologies into livestock extension training for Livestock Development in Kogi State
The event, held across the three Senatorial Districts of Kogi State, gathered over 300 Livestock Extension Agents, Lead Livestock Farmers, Key Value Chain Actors and community service providers, among others.
While declaring the workshop open in Lokoja, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, expressed pleasure at the gathering, noting that livestock is vital to Kogi’s economy, food security, and poverty reduction.
He highlighted challenges such as limited extension access, inadequate technical skills, and low technology adoption, and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to empowering its workforce.
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, the Commissioner urged participants to actively share experiences and learn for the benefit of farmers.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of Kogi L‑PRES Trains 300 Livestock Extension Workers, Farmers, Community Service Providers Mr Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza Otaru, said the training kicked off on Thursday in Lokoja for participants from Kogi West, continued on Friday in Anyigba for the East, and today, Saturday, in Okene for Kogi Central participants.
He said the workshop aims to strengthen participants’ ability to integrate PRA/PLA techniques into their extension / Advisory service delivery at Livestock Value Chain Clusters across the 21 LGAs of Kogi State.
According to him, it will improve the relevance and effectiveness of training programmes, address the specific needs of rural livestock farmers, and accelerate adoption of innovative technologies and Good Animal Husbandry Practices.
“The programme is structured as a “Train‑of‑Trainers” (ToT) initiative targeting 300 participants, including livestock extension agents, lead livestock farmers, and key value‑chain actors.
Mr Otaru noted that while Kogi L‑PRES initially recorded over 54,000 livestock farmers at baseline, a re‑validation exercise identified 32,000 genuine livestock farmers, declaring that the era of portfolio farmers without farms is gone in Kogi State.
He emphasised that the trained livestock extension agents and lead livestock farmers will cascade the training to at least 32,000 farmers across 64 Livestock Value Chain Clusters in the 21 local government areas of the state.
He noted that competent resource persons from the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), ABU‑Zaria, will facilitate the workshops, supported by a National Extension Service Specialist from L‑PRES National Coordination Office, Abuja.
Mr Otaru thank and appreciate the Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering support toward empowering Kogi livestock farmers, enhancing livestock productivity, and ensuring the achievement of food security in the state.
He urged participants to engage actively, noting that the workshop should be a “contributory and participatory program” that will drive sustainable livestock management and long‑term community resilience, especially in underserved areas.
The Managing Director, Kogi State Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Dr Bello George Ogirima, described the training workshop as a crucial step toward building the Livestock Extension Agents and Lead Livestock Farmers capacity and strengthening adaptive strategies for livestock production.
He emphasized that livestock extension agents are key to quality extension/advisory service delivery at the agribusiness clusters and urged full cooperation to complement project goals.
A Livestock Extension Agent, Mr Johnson Olusegun from Mopamuro LGA, commended Kogi L‑PRES for prioritizing continuous training and retraining of extension agents and farmers, stating the workshop would empower them to address challenges hindering livestock value chains.
The workshop featured presentations from resource persons on topics such as Participatory Needs Assessment (PNA), PRA/PLA in livestock extension, Participatory Planning and Prioritization, Participatory Technology Development and Testing, and Monitoring & Evaluation Methods, among others.
The workshop is expected to mark a significant step toward mainstreaming participatory approaches in Kogi’s livestock sector, laying a foundation for scalable and resilient farming practices across the state.
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