KOGI 2019 GUBER. ELECTION: Omebije makes loud statement with agriculture revolution By Philip Omakpa

 
Kogi State governorship aspirant in the November 16th election on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Emmanuel Omebije, has promised to swiftly prioritize agriculture if he becomes governor of Kogi State, he said he will adequately fund agriculture and provide incentives for both local and foreign investors in the state.
He also pledged to support farmers in the state by providing the enabling environment for the sector to thrive.
Omebije made the promise while speaking with journalists in Lokoja, the state capital.
He said his decision to prioritise agriculture was geared towards boosting food production in the state and increasing revenue generation through the sector.
Omebije said that massive investment in agriculture is necessary to improve food security, create jobs as well as boost economic activities in the state.
According to him, investment in agriculture is topmost agenda in his blueprint, promised of creating 100,000 jobs for Kogi people via modernise Agroprenuership.
He emphasized on the importance of embracing agricultural revolution as it focus on food security, large scale farming, and access to land, information and improved seedlings cannot be over emphasized .
“Agriculture is now scientific and mechanisation will help us compete in the agricultural market,” he said.
Omebije said his administration will establish fertiliser blending plant in Kogi to improve farmers’ access to fertiliser as well as Agricultural training centre in the state to train manpower for the sector.
Greater percentage of residents of the state are farmers. So, this intervention will go a long way for many people in the state.
“The incentives can also open up the state for agricultural development and enhance easy movement of farm products to market.
Omebije said his Agricultural Model also includes establishment of Electronic Control-room from where the commissioner for Agriculture could monitor all the farmers in the state, spread across 21 local council areas. It is a strategic vision that does not reflect on the menu of most agricultural commissioners across Nigeria. But the Commissioner for Agriculture during my administration, will work tirelessly with ease of sitting back in his office to broadcast special messages to famers in their various locations at once or put a robo-call through to any farmer if he wishes to pass a specific instruction.
Famers will be organise into about 2000 cooperatives for easier distribution of seedlings and farm inputs and repeatedly organised a special training for vegetable farmers he concluded.