The Kogi State Government has undertaken a midterm review of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, reaffirming its commitment to environmental sustainability and enhanced agricultural productivity across the state.
Speaking during one-day review exercise in Kaduna , the State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Barrister Ladi Jatto, said the review was timely as the initiative marks three years of implementation in Kogi state.
She explained that the assessment is aimed at measuring progress, identifying gaps, and scaling up successful interventions for improved outcomes.
Jatto described the project as transformative, noting that it has strengthened livelihoods, restored degraded lands, and boosted agricultural productivity in several communities.
She added that the state government is optimistic about the project’s trajectory and is already considering expanding its reach to benefit more residents.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Joseph Oluwasegun, said the review provides clarity on the state’s current standing and inform future strategies.
He stressed the importance of evaluating achievements at both state and national levels while addressing areas requiring further attention.
Oluwasegun commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his sustained support, particularly the provision of timely counterpart funding.
He noted that Kogi ranks among the top-performing states under the ACReSAL project, citing milestones in land stabilization, channelization, and reclamation efforts.
He further disclosed that interventions such as the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) and the distribution of handheld tractors have contributed significantly to poverty reduction and increased food production.
According to him, these initiatives align with the Federal Government’s food security agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Yahaya Farouk well and his counterpart in the ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah highlighted the project’s impact on farming activities through the provision of agricultural equipment and the restoration of soil and water systems.
They emphasised the growing challenges posed by climate change, particularly erratic rainfall patterns, emphasizing the need for climate-smart agricultural practices to sustain productivity.
