***New Era of Agro-Wealth as State Champions Resilient, Export-Ready Agriculture
A bold new future is unfolding for farmers and young agripreneurs in Kogi State as the government flags off a climate-smart oil palm training program, signaling a shift toward modern, export-driven agriculture.
At the heart of the initiative is a powerful message: oil palm farming is no longer just subsistence—it’s big business, and Kogi intends to lead. With the distribution of 1,000 improved seedlings worth ₦2.5 million to farmers in Kogi West, and a plan to replicate the gesture in Kogi East, the state is creating green wealth while fighting back against the threats of climate change.
Speaking at the training workshop held at the College of Agriculture, ABU Kabba, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma—represented by Director of Agricultural Services, Mr. Kunle Agbana—said the state is tackling the dual challenges of unpredictable rainfall and declining productivity by investing in knowledge and sustainability.
“We are training our farmers to be climate-resilient and globally competitive,” he said, citing Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo’s record of supporting 88,000 farmers with free inputs and the tractorization of over 8,000 hectares in one year—with plans to reach 16,000 hectares this year.
Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Dr. Olusegun Solomon, emphasized the untapped wealth in oil palm farming. “Every part of the tree has value, including the shell, which is now in high global demand,” he said.
Dr. Solomon called for smarter investments in processing and export, pointing out that with the right systems, oil palm could become one of Kogi’s top earners.
Chairman of the Kogi West Oil Palm Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, Mr. Moses Olorunnipa, urged youths to seize the moment. “This is the game-changer. The oil palm value chain is wide open. If our young people organize, they can own the future—through processing, harvesting, and exporting.”
More than just a training, the event gathered stakeholders, experts, and farmers to explore how climate resilience can drive inclusive growth, food security, and jobs.
The future of Kogi’s agriculture is not just green—it’s smart, standardized, and export-ready.
