Kogi to promote shea butter farming for export

Kogi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has keyed into the Federal Government efforts to diversify the economy by promoting shea butter farming for export.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government Affairs, Mr. Abubakar Ohere, who disclosed this while addressing administrators of the 21 local councils in the state on the government’s New Agenda Blueprint, said it has selected 252 shea butter farmers across the state that would be going for a train-the-trainers workshop in Minna, Niger State.

He said the capacity building training, which would take place in the next few weeks, is part of the state government’s efforts to make the product a foreign exchange earner.

The governor’s aide also disclosed that the state government has concluded plans to establish six farm settlements across the three senatorial districts of the state.

According to him, “The proposed farm settlements are being initiated in response to the government’s desire to use agriculture to create jobs and wealth for the youths.

“Farmers that will be engaged under the scheme will also be trained on how to handle simple farming tools. The tools will be fabricated locally to save money and sold to farmers at subsidised rates.”