The need for kogi state government to establish out growers programme to revamp the state economy after the covid-19 pandemic has been emphasised.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Premier Food and Trade Group, and former Vice Chairman Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi state, Honourable Collins Adama stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lokoja.
He explained that investing in agriculture and its value chain was the way out of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus.
Honourable Adama who is also the Vice President Nigeria Agricultural Cooperative Organisation NACO, said investing in out growers crop production would ensure food security, job and wealth creation, mechanised farming, and improved state economy.
He also called on international organisations like the Rockefeller Foundation to support indigenous organisation to boost agricultural programmes geared towards mopping up the youths and unemployed graduates from the street.
He said the Premier Food and Trade Group which is a registered organisation carries out the consultancy services of NACO, as it seeks to establish crop storage centres, set up network of agricultural procurement process and buying arrangements as well as provide tractors hiring services and to decelerate rural urban drift.
Honorable Adama decried the absence of crop production centres in most states to engage the teaming youths.
He said only kaduna, Kwara and Kebbi states had implemented the out growers programme by creating farm centers that had fully engaged the youths.
Honourable Adama maintained that agriculture had enormous benefits of scaling down crime, industrialise the state and boost IGR as he would be willing to render his expertise having atteded several trainings under the out growers programme of the federal government during the regime of late President Musa Yar’aduwa.