The Kogi State Government has intensified drive toward environmental sustainability and food security, with over ₦3 billion disbursed to 90 communities under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and the Community Revolving Fund scheme.

The State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Barr. Ladi Jatto, disclosed this during the commissioning of land restoration, agricultural mechanization, and waste management equipment in Lokoja.

She noted that 4,201 individuals have directly benefited from the intervention across the state.

According to her, beneficiaries are productively utilizing the funds for sustainable agricultural production and processing, with measurable impact already recorded in several communities.

She identified pressing challenges confronting the state and the nation, including food scarcity, flooding, land degradation, and climate change, stressing that the ACReSAL was strategically designed to respond to these threats through sustainable and climate-resilient solutions.

She outlined key achievements of the project to include the training of 150 farmers in dry-season farming, establishment of two greenhouse farms with two more underway, drilling of 60 tube wells fitted with solar-powered pumps benefiting 695 farmers, restoration of over 291,000 hectares of degraded land, and support for 5,339 farmers through afforestation and agroforestry initiatives.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Oluwasegun Joseph, described the commissioning as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to mechanized agriculture, land restoration, and resilient community development.

He reaffirmed that the Ododo administration remains deliberate in expanding agricultural opportunities, restoring degraded lands, and strengthening environmental management systems across all 21 local government areas of the state.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah commended the Governor for his passion for agriculture, water resources management and environmental sustainability.

He noted that the intervention represents the fifth major agricultural initiative undertaken by the present administration, citing previous collaborations with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and IFAD-supported programmes.

The event also featured the unveiling of critical equipment, including a swamp buggy for desilting and flood control, a low-bed trailer for equipment mobility, 23 tractors — with 10 already delivered — to enhance mechanized farming statewide, 20 tipping tricycles, waste bins, and sanitation tools to boost community-based waste management.