In a move to bolster climate-smart agriculture, the Kogi State Government has rolled out a training programme aimed at equipping farmers with advanced techniques in oil palm cultivation to mitigate the impact of climate change.
The programme was inaugurated at the Auditorium of the College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Kabba, and declared open by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojoma, who was represented by the Director of Agricultural Services, Kunle Agbana.
A statement issued by Kogi government house said the commissioner threw more light on the initiative, pointing to the challenges posed by erratic weather patterns and shifting farming seasons.
He said, “Unpredictable rainfall and shifting farming calendars necessitate urgent training for farmers to maintain productivity and high quality in oil palm production.”
Ojoma reiterated Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo’s dedication to agricultural transformation, referencing recent milestones such as the mechanization of over 8,000 hectares of farmland and the distribution of free inputs to 88,000 farmers. According to him, the administration intends to extend its reach to 16,000 hectares this year.
He encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices and embrace traceability systems, essential for meeting international market standards. “The future of oil palm production in Kogi State is one that is standardized, traceable, and exportable,” he said, describing it as a turning point for the state’s agricultural economy.
Olusegun Solomon, Director of Research and Head of Extension and Economics at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), underscored the economic opportunities embedded in oil palm farming.
He stated, “Every part of the oil palm tree holds economic value,” noting especially that “the palm kernel shells… [are] now in high demand globally.”
Solomon also revealed that 1,000 improved oil palm seedlings—worth ₦2.5 million—had been distributed to farmers in Kogi West Senatorial District, with similar distributions planned for Kogi East.
Moses Olorunnipa, Chairman of the Kogi West Oil Palm Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, hailed the program as a transformative opportunity for both farmers and youth in the state.
He urged young people in the state to collaborate, invest in processing and harvesting equipment, and tap into the vast and untapped potential of the oil palm industry for sustainable income and job creation.
The workshop & training brought together stakeholders, farmers, and agricultural experts to address challenges posed by unpredictable weather conditions and shifting farming calendars.
