Emmanuel Clement
Food prices in Kogi State have witnessed a significant decline, thanks to the effective agricultural policies implemented by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
According to Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, the prices of staple foods have dropped substantially due to increased production and government measures against hoarding.
Fanwo disclosed that a market survey shows that the price of a 50kg bag of rice, which sold for about ₦85,000 in March, now goes for between ₦62,000 and ₦65,000
“A medium-sized tuber of yam, previously about ₦2,000, now sells for ₦1,200, while a paint bucket of cassava flakes (garri) has dropped from ₦3,500 to ₦2,400. Prices of maize and corn have also fallen across the state.
“The crash in food prices is not accidental. It’s the result of structured support to farmers through various agricultural intervention programmes, including ACReSAL, the massive distribution of improved seedlings, and the opening up of rural roads under the RAAMP project,” Fanwo said.
He noted that the state government has also put in place strong mechanisms to check hoarding by middlemen who attempt to create artificial scarcity.
“Our policy is clear: no one will be allowed to exploit Kogites by stockpiling foodstuffs. We will continue to monitor markets to ensure availability and affordability,” he added.
He further observed that the abundant production of staple crops this season has made hoarding unattractive.
The Commissioner revealed that over one million seedlings of cashew and palm were planted this year alone in Kogi, a development he said could inject over ₦100 billion into the state’s agro-economy within three years.
Fanwo assured that Governor Ododo remains committed to making Kogi a leading food hub in Nigeria, stressing that agriculture will continue to drive food security, job creation, and economic growth in the state.
He added that many investors are already showing interest in the state’s agricultural sector.
“It’s therefore not surprising,” he said, “that Produce for Lagos — an agricultural programme of the Lagos State Government — has chosen to partner with Kogi State for food supply to Lagos.
“This initiative, backed by a ₦500 billion agribusiness fund, is further proof that Kogi is now at the centre of Nigeria’s food security drive.”he submitted
