From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has re-stated its resolve to continue to accord priority to women empowerment in agriculture and small scale businesses.
Kogi State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah, gave the assurance while speaking at 2025 World Food Day Celebration held in Lokoja, on Thursday, with the Theme: “Hang in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future”
The commissioner represented by the Director of Agricultural Services, Kunle Agbana, said that the event which was organised by the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) in partnership with his Ministry and support from ActionAid Nigeria is an annual ritual aimed at raising the consciousness of stakeholders towards complementing the efforts of government in boosting food security and production.
“Government will not relent in encouraging women participation in agriculture and small scale businesses to boost food production and socioeconomic activities of the state and Nigeria at large” the commissioner assured
The commissioner also promised of robust budgetary allocation to agricultural sector in the years ahead assuring that the state’s budget will continue to involve women farmers and carry SWOFON along in all agricultural activities
According to the commissioner, the Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture this year acquired 8,000 hectre of land allocated to farmers for farming activities of women were great beneficiaries
He expressed happiness with the current sharp fall in the prices of virtually all agricultural products now, describing the development as better happening that will defeat hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
Hajia Rukayat Ahmed, Kogi State Coordinator of Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), in her speech, said that the goal of the world food day celebration is to raise awareness of all stakeholders on the need for sustainability of sound agriculture and food security in Kogi State and Nigeria in general.
“The celebration also affords us the opportunity to reflect on our roles in agriculture in ensuring food security and combating hunger. We women farmers will not relent in contributing our quota to nation building”
Hajia Rukayat Ahmed advocated for training of women farmers in climate change and other aspects of agriculture to provide them with practical solutions that can uplift their efficiency in farming activities.
Participants at the celebration includes; representatives of chairman house committee on agriculture from Kogi State House of Assembly, Ministries of Agriculture and Budget Planning, Kogi State Agricultural Development Project and Kogi State Director of Commercial Agriculture.
