The Kogi Government is expanding modern agro-markets and rural access roads to connect farming communities with buyers, improve the movement of produce and strengthen the state’s agricultural value chain.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, on Monday September 14 in Lokoja, said the initiative was part of Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s strategy to position Kogi as a major agricultural production and food hub. He stressed that increased farm production must be matched with efficient market access to ensure farmers benefit from their efforts.
Fanwo said the state, in partnership with the World Bank, was constructing modern markets under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), citing the ongoing project at Ayegunle Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area. The markets are designed to provide spaces for farmers, traders and buyers to aggregate, display and sell agricultural produce.
He said rural roads linking farms to the market hubs were equally critical, as improved access would reduce difficulties in transporting produce and strengthen rural economies. Fanwo said the combined investment would support farmers from production to marketing while creating opportunities for traders and other participants across the agricultural value chain.
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