The Kogi State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has achieved a major milestone with the successful harvest of its first greenhouse-grown produce at the Federal University, Lokoja.

The inaugural harvest yielded 260 kilograms of fresh cucumbers, marking the beginning of a new era of climate-smart agriculture in the state. The event was witnessed by key stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, representatives of the ACReSAL State Project Management Unit, and university officials.

Beneficiaries of the project include women farmers from the Falele and Crusher communities, as well as staff and students of the university who participated in the training and cultivation process. The greenhouse system, designed to ensure year-round production, will continue to yield produce weekly for the next three months before the next planting cycle begins.

Speaking during the harvest, the State Project Coordinator reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, tackling food inflation, and empowering women and youths through modern farming practices. He added that the greenhouse initiative is being replicated across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, reinforcing the administration’s vision of food security and economic resilience.

The ACReSAL project, supported by the World Bank, aims to enhance agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability in semi-arid regions by introducing innovative farming technologies and community-based empowerment programs.

This milestone positions Kogi State as a front-runner in adopting climate-smart agricultural solutions to boost food supply, create jobs, and strengthen resilience against the impacts of climate change.