joshuaCal-Maji Foundation Begins 3 Day Capacity-Building Workshop on Agroecological Farming in Kogi
… As Kogi Gov’t Says it has earmarked 8,000 hectares of land for planting of Cassava, Maize, Rice.
The administration of Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo has embarked on green revolution program where cropping is presently going on with over 8,000 hectares of land earmarked for the planting of Cassava, Maize and Rice across the State.
The Kogi State Commissioner For Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, made the disclosure at the launch of a three day capacity building workshop in Kogi State organised by Cal-maji Foundation,
The Commissioner made disclosed that the workshop which focuses on agroecological practices, said it is in line with the present administration determination to ensure food sufficiency.
The Commissioner pointed out that the State Government is committed to solving food insecurity urged the participants to embrace the use of agroecological practices in food production.
“Kogi State is in the sub-savannah region of the country and its rich in agro. ecological zones, which offers vast potential for agricultural development”.
“Therefore, it is important that we take advantage of this our location to create sustainable and resilient farming systems that enhance food security, improve livelihoods and protect the environment”.
“This capacity building workshop on agro-ecology and food security is coming at a better time as the administration is resolved on improving food production”.
“Kogi State, with its rich agroecological zones, offers vast potential for agricultural development.
By embracing agroecological practices, we can create sustainable and resilient farming systems that enhance food security, improve livelihoods, and protect the environment”.
He noted that by embracing agroecological principles, the state’s farmers could create more resilient farming systems that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
“This initiative aligns with our state’s commitment to promoting sustainable farming practices that not only ensure food security but also safeguard our natural resources for future generations,” Ojoma stated.
Hon. Timothy Ojoma commended the organizers for their foresight and dedication to improving the agricultural sector.
The first day of the workshop included presentations from various resource persons who took participants through a range of agroecological topics.
These included afforestation, tree integration, organic farming, intercropping, and natural pest control methods. The sessions were designed to be practical and interactive, ensuring that participants could easily apply the knowledge gained to their farming activities.
Delivering his welcome address at the opening ceremony, Mr. Abdulkareem Onivehu, the State Coordinator of Cal-Maji Foundation, emphasized the workshop’s importance in the context of Kogi State’s rich agroecological zones.
The 3 day workshop which commenced on Wednesday, aims at equipping small holder farmers, women’s groups, and Youths with practical knowledge to boost food security, enhance livelihoods, and protect the environment.
One of the highlights of the event was the emphasis on afforestation and tree integration. Participants were educated on the importance of trees in maintaining soil health, preventing erosion, and enhancing biodiversity.
The resource persons also demonstrated organic farming techniques, encouraging farmers to reduce their reliance on chemical inputs, thereby fostering healthier soils and crops.
The workshop is set to continue over the next two days with more lectures and visits to demonstration farms, where participants will have the opportunity to see agroecological practices in action. This hands-on experience is expected to reinforce the theoretical knowledge shared during the sessions, giving participants the confidence to implement these practices on their own farms.
The workshop will conclude on Friday, September 6th, with a closing ceremony where participants will share their experiences and insights gained from the training.
The three-day capacity-building workshop is for
small holder farmers, women’s groups, and youth.
According to Mr. Abdulkareem Onivehu,
The workshop focus on practical
agroecological principles, including afforestation, tree integration, organic farming,
intercropping, and natural pest control methods.
“Agroecological Farming encourages healthier ecosystem through biodiversity, for instance, pollinators and beneficial micro and micro organism, increased output of the community in the economy, per hectre
