The Kogi State Ministry of Commerce and Industry has pledged support for an agricultural exhibition aimed at promoting agricultural production, value addition and industrialisation in the state.
The state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Muhammed Shuaibu, gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of the Commodity Agricultural Forum (CAF) in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The delegation visited the ministry to solicit support for the proposed “Kogi Agricultural Revolution and Industrialisation Project,” described as the first agricultural exhibition of its kind in the state.
Mr Shuaibu commended the leadership of the forum for the initiative and assured members of the ministry’s support toward the successful hosting of the exhibition.
He also urged stakeholders to cooperate with the forum in achieving its objectives of promoting agricultural growth and economic development in the state.
Earlier, the chairman of CAF in Kogi, Moru Ahmed, said the forum was established under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme.
Mr Ahmed said the forum currently operates in Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Olamaboro, Ibaji and one other local government area, with plans to expand its activities across the 21 local government areas of the state.
According to him, the exhibition is expected to bring together about 1,000 farmers, agro-input dealers, service providers and other stakeholders to showcase agricultural produce and value-added products.
He said the forum sought stronger collaboration among farmers, processors, marketers and agricultural industries to improve market access and promote agricultural development.
(NAN)
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