By Abubakar Shuaibu A.
In a bid to strengthen control over its agricultural resources and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the Kogi State Government has formalized an agreement with Agro Trading Consult Limited (ATCL) ahead of the 2026 cashew season.
The agreement, signed on Tuesday in Lokoja, engages ATCL as the State’s exclusive strategic operational partner and technical consultant for the 2026 cashew commodity season.
Signing on behalf of the State Government, the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State (SGS), Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, Ph.D, expressed delight at the partnership, noting that it would enhance revenue generation, create jobs, and improve wealth creation for youths across the state.
According to the SGS, the agreement is also designed to protect cashew farmers from exploitation by middlemen, enabling them to sell their produce competitively within the international market.
“This partnership places Kogi State at a strategic advantage, considering that the state produces some of the finest cashew in the world. It will also encourage investors to establish cashew processing plants within the state, stimulate economic activities, and ensure farmers receive fair value for their produce,” she said.
Mrs. Ayoade commended Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, for creating an enabling environment for business to thrive in the state. She also praised the Director General and management of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA) for living up to expectations, while urging the consulting firm to ensure full and faithful implementation of the agreement.
Earlier, the Director General of KOSCEPA, Chief Adewale Victor Omofaiye, said the agency is mandated to revitalize the cashew industry and strengthen the state’s agricultural economy.
He noted that the signing of the agreement with Agro Trading Consult Limited is already yielding positive outcomes and will deliver significant economic benefits to the state.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Agro Trading Consult Limited, Dr. Jude Osilama, assured the Kogi State Government of his firm’s commitment to deploying its expertise across the cashew value chain.
He pledged that the agreement would be professionally executed to boost economic activities, improve farmers’ morale, and generate employment opportunities for youths in the state.
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