Why Governor Ododo crashed food prices in Kogi state

The agricultural policies and programmes initiated by Gov. Ahmed Ododo have brought a steady decline in prices of food stuffs in Kogi.

Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information made this known in a statement in Wednesday in Lokoja.

Fanwo said that increased production, combined with government measures against hoarding, has stabilised the food supply chain and brought relief to households.

He said 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.

“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.

“Similarly, 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 is 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 stressed that the state government has also put in place strong mechanisms to check hoarding by middlemen who attempt to create artificial scarcity.

According to him, our policy is clear: no one will be allowed to exploit Kogi residents by stockpiling foodstuffs.

“We will continue to monitor markets to ensure availability and affordability more so that the abundant production of staple crops this season has made hoarding unattractive.”

Fanwo said that 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.

“Already, many investors are showing interest in the state’s agricultural sector.

“It is therefore not surprising that ‘Produce for Lagos’ — an agricultural programme of the Lagos State Government — has chosen to partner with Kogi 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 said.

9news Nigeria reports that on Aug.  7, the African Development Bank commended Ododo, for what it described as his administration’s bold reforms in agriculture and food security, as the state moves closer to being enlisted as a beneficiary of the Bank’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZ, initiative.

The commendation was made during a high-level policy dialogue held in Abuja and convened by the AfDB to explore solutions to challenges facing access to finance, youth and women empowerment, and agribusiness development in Nigeria.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr timothy Ojomah, who represented the state at the event, disclosed that Kogi and Ogun were the only two states specially invited to the dialogue.

He said the invitation signified AfDB’s recognition of the policy direction and investments made under Ododo’s administration to reposition the agricultural sector.

Ojomah further revealed that preliminary engagements have commenced between the state government and AfDB, aimed at ensuring Kogi’s inclusion in the next phase of the SAPZ scheme, which is expected to begin in 2026.