Over 600 Farmers Empowered in Kogi West.
Over 600 farmers have been empowered to produce Sesame, Maize, groundnut , cassava and soya beans in Kabba-Bunu and Ijumu local government areas of Kogi State.
The empowernment programme which was in partnership with the National productivity Centre was facilitated by Hon. Abiodun Faleke a House of Representative member at the National Assembly.
The programme consultant , Dr
Tunde Arosanyin who disclosed this in Lokoja Tuesday while addressing newsmen, said the purpose of the programme is to enable the lawmaker contribute his quota in reducing unemployment , reduce food security and to stimulate the economic growth of Kogi State.
He noted that the scheme has captured over 600 farmers from Kabba-Bunu and Ijumu local government areas of Kogi State, adding that the second leg of the programme would capture farmers from the three local government in Yagba federal constituency while the third leg would also benefit farmers from Lokoja /Kogi -Koton Karfe local government areas by first quarter of next year.
He stated that all the farmers involved in the programme have been placed on stipends of N10,000 every month for a period of six months, noting that aside the stipends each of the farmers has taken farm input valued about N1 million as seed money to boost their productivities.
Speaking on the multiplying effect of the programme, Dr. Arosanyin said the farmers were trained in the use of modern method of farming to improve their yield, saying many foreign agricultural companies especially Ag-Enzyme and EMRC that supplied the farm inputs have indicated interest to buy the farm products at the end of harvesting season.
“Some foreign company have indicated interest on the buying of the food products produce by the farmers meaning that there is a robust market for the farmers.
“Whatever they harvest and sell the money belong to them and they can use it next year to expand the farm from one hectare to three hectares depending on their seriousness” he said.
He charged the beneficiaries of the programme to take the advantage of the rare opportunity to better their lives and contribute meaningfully to the economy development of the State.