Food crisis: Yahaya Bello, a man of vision – Kogi Collectives
Kogi state social cultural organization otherwise called Kogi Collectives (KC) at the weekend showered encomium on the immediate past governor Yahaya Bello for laying the foundation for agricultural revolution in the state
The agricultural revolution, the Kogi Collectives affirmed is the basis for food security in the state .
The group who spoke through their leader Philip Olusegun Orebiyi said after their meeting in Lokoja yesterday that Bello is a visionary leader who saw tomorrow.
Reviewing Bello’s accomplishments in the state during his tenure , Orebiyi stated “In agriculture, the Bello’s policies have made Kogi the Food Basket of the nation. He brought about qualitative changes in the life of the farmers to increase food production and agribusiness by keying into the various agricultural policies of the Federal Government.
” The payment of counterpart funds by the State Government under Bello contributed in no small measure in facilitating the following: clearing and cultivation of 3000 hectares of land for rice cultivation and over 5000 hectares of land for cassava cultivation across the state.
“To improve the financial status of farmers, the Bello’s administration kept a goal of improving farmers’ income through subsidy on agricultural input, micro agricultural loans, allocation of agricultural lands and seedlings to improve agricultural productivity.
“In 2016, Bello established 1000 hectares farm in Omi, Osara, and other selected areas to enhance rice production.
“He procured 375 Ferguson Tractors and other multi billion naira agro-equipment to boost rice production. In addition to this, about 1500 tillers were distributed to small- scale farmers in 2021.
” This effort has so far created over 15, 000 jobs for the people of Kogi State and increased their living standard.
“Also, cassava has become the hottest agricultural produce in Kogi State as there exists a market equilibrium for it in the largest ethanol company (Unicane) in Lokoja whose major raw material is cassava.
“The company and many others were established in Lokoja due to the safety and conducive atmosphere created in the State by Governor Bello.
“Satisfied by the agricultural revolution in Kogi, the Federal Government chose the state as the pioneer site for National Egg Production where over 135 youths are currently empowered with N4.2m each to support their poultry farming.
“Another remarkable agricultural development in Kogi State under the Bello-led administration is the massive cultivation of river banks for rice production. Under this scheme, the state government harvested thousands of tons of rice in 2018 in addition to what it produced around the Omi dam.
“The State-owned Confluence Rice Mill, Ejiba, with 36m kg yearly production capacity was built by the Bello’s administration. It is one of the most patronized mills in Nigeria today.
” The mill has generated over 2000 indirect and direct jobs through its Out-Growers empowerment program and milling activities. By establishing the Rice Milling Industry; the Bello’s administration has used one stone to kill two birds by fighting food insecurity and unemployment simultaneously”.
Members of KC who corroborated with Orebiyi included Segun Arogboni, Yetunde Shuaibu, Kamal Toyin, Femi Irojah, Sam Jemituwi, Janet Zubair, Ayobami Omoniwa, Mary Alabi and Comfort Olayemi.
