Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Monday said Nigeria could make enough revenue from agricultural resources that could replace crude oil within a decade, if more effort is put into agriculture.
Speaking in Lokoja while receiving the 5th World Bank/FGN Joint Mission to Kogi on FADAMA III AF Implementation team on a three-day project visit to the state.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Simon Achuba, said his administration believes the almost limitless value chains in the sector (agriculture) can replace crude oil earnings 100 per cent within a decade.
“My vision and yearnings since assumption of office has been to transform Kogi State into an industrial/economic destination with the agricultural sector playing a pivotal role, particularly through massive support for cassava and rice value chains,” he said.
The governor also expressed the determination of his government to ensure the success of the World Bank-assisted FADAMA III Additional Financing agricultural projects through prompt payment of counterpart contributions.
However, he pointed out that the one hectare per farmer of the ‘Brown Field’ was difficult to achieve without assistance on land clearing.
He, therefore, requested for an increase in land clearing allocation to Kogi by 100 percent.
Earlier, leader of the World Bank team, Dr Salau Sheu, stressed the need for the state government to pay its counterpart contribution to provide more food and create jobs. He said the bank would continue to support agriculture and rural development in the state.
