Kogi strengthens rural economy with agro- Markets, farm access roads

By Admin

The Kogi State Government is strengthening the rural economy through the construction of modern agro-markets and farm access roads aimed at connecting farming communities with buyers and improving the movement of agricultural produce.

The initiative, according to the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, is part of the administration’s broader strategy to develop the agricultural value chain and position Kogi as a major food-producing state.

Fanwo, in a statement on Monday, said the government recognised that increasing agricultural production must be matched with efficient market access if farmers were to derive greater economic value from their efforts.

He said the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was therefore investing in infrastructure that would support farmers from production through transportation to the eventual sale of their produce.

“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to making Kogi a leading agricultural production hub and strengthening the state’s position as a major food basket of the nation.

“To achieve this, we must support our farmers from the point of production to the point of sale,” Fanwo said.

He explained that the state government, in collaboration with the World Bank, was constructing modern markets across the state under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

Fanwo identified the modern market under construction at Ayegunle Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area as one of the projects being delivered under the programme.

“We’re happy with the pace of work there, and the line Ministries are also doing a wonderful job of providing oversight to ensure that the project delivers the intended benefits to our rural communities,” he said.

According to the Commissioner, the modern agro-markets will provide organised meeting points for farmers, traders and buyers, making it easier to aggregate, display and market agricultural produce.

He said the market infrastructure would complement the construction and improvement of rural access roads, which are critical to transporting farm produce from remote communities to market centres.

Fanwo said the government’s approach was based on the understanding that agricultural development went beyond increasing production.

He noted that without reliable transportation and accessible markets, farmers could struggle to move their produce efficiently and secure better commercial opportunities.

The Commissioner said the combined investment in rural roads and modern markets was therefore intended to create stronger connections between farming communities and the wider agricultural marketplace.

He also commended the Executive Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area for providing an enabling and secure environment for the smooth execution of the Ayegunle Bunu market project.

“Let me also commend the Executive Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area for providing an enabling and secure environment for the contractor to do a beautiful job.

“What we have in Kogi State is a government for the rural people,” Fanwo said.

The Commissioner said the interventions would contribute to stronger rural economies by improving market access, facilitating the movement of agricultural commodities and creating better opportunities for farmers and other participants in the value chain.

He added that the state government remained focused on developing infrastructure that would enable rural communities to contribute more effectively to Kogi’s agricultural economy.