NALDA’s Farm Estate Targets 3,000 Youths in Kogi

James Emejo in Abuja
The establishment of the proposed National Agricultural Land Development Authority’s (NALDA) Integrated Farm Estate in Kogi State will boost the livestock sub-sector, minimise the incessant farmer/herder clashes as well as create job opportunities for over 3000 youths in the host community.

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, said the 700- hectare – asset, located in Okwuha Obayin Village, in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state, would serve as a bridge and safe haven for pastoralists relocating from other zones across the country.

He also said that the project would focus mainly on livestock – cattle, goat, sheep and poultry and pasture production – adding that it would have a cropping area with an irrigation farming system to ensure all-year-round food production particularly maize.

Following the successful establishment of the authority’s maiden farm state in Daura, Katsina State, President Muhammadu Buhari, who supervises NALDA had promised to ensure that the farm was replicated in the 109 senatorial districts across the country.
Ikonne, however pointed out that the Kogi facility would integrate social amenities including school, clinic, access roads, residential areas, boreholes and a meat processing area as well as market.

While interacting with stakeholders including including council chairmen village heads, the NALDA ES further reassured the host community that the land would be put to use for their benefit.
He said,”These families that are donating the lands, the federal government is developing the land for you, what we are bringing belongs to you and what it means is that all the youth and women within your village would be engaged in this place”

“It is very simple, it is called Integrated Farm Estate, where you will have both school, clinic, crop section, processing section, animal husbandry sections and then we would also have a mini-market, residential area and this place would be purely known for meat processing, cow and goat rearing.”
He said the Buhari-led administration was committed to tackling poverty in the country as well as make millionaires out of Nigerian youths especially those living in rural areas through agriculture.

He further assured that the land clearing of the would commence immediately adding that the first section of the would be commissioned by December.
Earlier, Ikonne during a courtesy call on the State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, said locating the farm estate in Kogi was a strategic decision, being the gateway to most regions of the country.