From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi government said it has set aside 30,000 hectares of land for farming activities in the state to boost food production.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Timothy Ojomah disclosed this in a chat with DAILY ASSET in Lokoja.

Ojomah said that the hectares of  land would be allocated to farmers to ensure all year-round farming activities in the state.

He said the government had allocated 8,000 hectares in 2024, and decided to increase the size to 30,000 hectares to ensure massive food production and food security in the state.

The commissioner said: “the result of last year is obvious, given the records from  the Bureau of Statistics.

“The prices of food items have reduced drastically in the state compared to what we experienced in 2024.

“Kogi stands at the bottom now in the ranking of states with high cost of food items.

“We used to be at the top in the ranking, however, the massive increase in food production is already changing the narrative.

“We are scaling up what we did last year and the farmers are already motivated by the intervention from  government.

“We have already received more than 60,000 requests for the 30,000 hectares earmarked, which speaks about the enthusiasm and motivation of the farmers.

“More people are embracing farming in the state and looking forward to how the government can help them to improve food production.”

Ojomah also disclosed that the state government had birthed a special concept of Free Trade Zones and signed  agreement with some group of Chinese companies and the World Bank to set  up industries that could process its farm produce.

He also said that Gov. Ahmed Ododo recently approved a three months smart agriculture training for 50 youths  from the state.

“When they return, they will equally train others to ensure that the state derived the desired benefits of the value chain in agriculture –  processing, packaging, and exporting of our products.

“As we speak, arrangements are being  concluded to expand the Omi Dam for production of 4,000 hectares of rice that can feed our rice mill (Alape Rice Mill), ” he said.

Ojomah, said the Gov. Ododo led  government was partnering with Silvex International to set up a very large rice farm in the area.

“Silvex International is an experienced company in rice production, processing, and export.

“With the dam in the area, we are going to have full mechanised farming and all year-round rice farming,”he said.

The commissioner appreciated the governor’s foresight in developing the agricultural sector to enhance food production in the state.

“The governor  has pledged that Kogi state will be vast in food production, ” he said

The  National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has urged the media to stand in the communication gap in favour of biotechnology development n Nigeria, re-affirming the safety in the consumption of genetically modified foods.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, affirmed this during a one-day media field trip to NBRDA FARMS on Monday in Abuja.

The trip was organised by Open Forum On Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), an initiative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).

“Today, you shall be visiting our TELA Maize farms. This provides an exciting opportunity to see for yourselves what we have been doing here and equally gather your findings on what you have seen today and then take back the message to the people to quell some of the miscommunications about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops.

“TELA Maize hybrid varieties were developed to address some of the pressing challenges facing our farmers, including pests and diseases that can significantly reduce crop yields,” he said.

According to him, the production of the TELA MAIZE hybrid was done through the combined efforts of scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria in collaboration with stakeholders in key institutions such as NBRDA, NBMA, NASC, and the AATF Research Team.

“We are here to showcase our demonstration farms of genetically modified versions of commonly consumed crops developed by our  scientists that have enjoyed rave reviews from the global world of science and the agricultural sector.

“These experts have worked tirelessly to ensure that this crop is not only high-yielding but also safe for human consumption,” he added.

He noted that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has been instrumental in ensuring the safety and efficacy of TELA Maize which is believed to have the potential to transform the agricultural landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

Dr Jean Baptiste, the Regional Representative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, said that GMOs were aimed at leveraging the potential of biotechnology to develop a system that will help farmers.

He said Tella maize is a variety, developed using biotechnology methods to control insects.

“It also checks the resistance to drought and controls army worms, and stem borers in maize.

“At the end of the day, the benefits are enormous because it helps farmers increase yield and to be able to meet food security issues.

Dr. Francis Nwankwo, a TELA MAIZE developer from the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) explained the processes saying Tela maize passed through  a genetic transformation that happens at the DNA level .

“They are not manufactured. What happens is we identify genes that can inhibit the infestation or reduce the infestation of some lepidoptera pests that affect some crops.

“So when we identify those genes we incorporate them into the DNA of maize thereby making it the maize, plus the genes.

“That way we increase the genes and reduce the struggles that our conventional maize go through on our farms like the stem borrower and others,” he said.

In her presentation, Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NBRDA, explained that many countries have derived huge benefits from TELA maize citing countries such as the U.S. and Canada.

“We actually brought you here so you could see the disparities between the TELA MAIZE and the non-TELA MAIZE species, and the environment which is far different from what we see on social media.

“We have other crops like beans that have actually been through the same gene transfers and are doing perfectly well and are safe for consumption,” she said.

She, therefore, urged the media to be on the guard in view of a lot of misinformation going round on social media and take responsibility in providing related information to the public adequately and objectively. (NAN)

Ms Surah Animashaun, the Chairperson, Epe Local Government, has empowered 200 farmers with cash and other agricultural inputs to boost food production in the area.

Animashaun distributed the agricultural inputs to the beneficiaries at the council secretariat in Epe on Thursday in Lagos.

She said the initiative was aimed at supporting farmers in order to boost food production in the various communities of the council.

Animashaun said the farmers who benefitted from the gesture are expected to be considerate in their price fixing after harvest to ensure the affordability of food for all Nigerians.

“With the economic situation now and the support being giving to you, farmers should be reasonable in fixing prices after harvest to ensure that ordinary Nigerians source food at a more convenient price nationwide.

“We are here to give you support for your farming activities today, we expect that you reciprocate tomorrow by selling at a more affordable price to the people tomorrow,’’ she said.

Animashaun explained that each of the benefiting farmers received N50,000 and essential grains such as maize and sorghum.

She said the council would continue to support the farmers for them to be strong in farming activities.

Animashaun also used the medium to highlight her administration’s ongoing efforts in the extension of palliatives to other sectors of the economy.

She urged the communities in the area to maintain harmony, love, hospitality, and compassion, particularly in the face of the present economic challenges.

Also speaking, Mr Sikiru Owolomoshe, the Vice Chairman of the council, urged the farmers to take advantage of the gesture to improve their activities in order to encourage others.

Mr Olayinka Kazeem, the Secretary of Epe Farmers and a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the council chairperson and her management.

“This is the first time we are witnessing this kind of programme and it is coming at a critical period when many states are facing food shortage,’’ he said.

He assured that the beneficiaries would do their best to ensure the objective was achieved.

Mr Ahmed Surakat, the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Fishermen Cooperative Association, and Mrs Kafilat Animashahun beneficiaries, extended their gratitude to the council chairman for her unwavering support to farmers.

Earlier, the President of the Epe Farmers Union, Mrs Aminat Shabi, lauded Animashaun for the comprehensive support to other agricultural value chain such as fish farmers and livestock producers.(NAN)