APPEALS project had development objectives of enhancing small and medium scale farmers and also support their value addition. We have identified the real farmers, mapped out their land and we want them to take advantage of this grant to support their farming,” he said.
“APPEALS in Kogi state is taking the lead because we want to make sure that farm inputs get to the farmers at the right time,” he further said.
He added that the project will ensure prompt delivery of the incentives to farmers, noting that the first phase will commence with rice farmers.
“For the rice farmers, we have mapped out 1780 hectares of land for rice production this farming season alone and will be used to fund the under the ‘Value Chain Investment Plan’ (VCIP),” he said.
Speaking also, Edward Onoja, the state deputy governor, who doubles as the state steering committee chairman for the project said the state government refusal to lock down the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic has given leeway to farmers in the state.
He added that the state will soon overtake Benue to become the food basket of the country.
Businessdayng.com