By Blessing Nnabuife and ChuksUgokwe
Anambra State attaches great value to agriculture in improving quality of life of its citizenry, stabilising food security and increase to farmers’ income. .
GovernorChukwuumaSoludowho reiterated that agriculture remains one of the strong pillars of his administrationstated this during the flag-off of the 2023 farming season with the theme, “Biological Farming: Nature’s Sustainability Solution.”at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka,
GovSoludo who was represented by the Deputy Governor, DrOnyekachukwuIbezim, assured Ndi Anambra that this present government is commitment towards supporting farmers in the state for food sufficiency.
He emphasised that agriculture is a great benefits and well come developing in the state which includes, food security, creation of job opportunities, boosting of the economy, and as well as lifting people out of poverty.
Prof. Soludo, noted that the distribution of one million coconut and palm seedlings per year initiative of his administration is aimed at making palm oil and coconut the new crude oil in the state, expressing hope that through the initiative, crime and criminality will be eliminated in the state as the youths and unemployed citizens will be gainfully engaged in agriculture and other sectors of the state economy, and recommended regenerative and biological agriculture as the best practice as it will provide holistic solution to numerous environmental challenges facing human environment recently.
“My vision is to restore agriculture of Dr M I Okpala the premier of then Eastern Region. Government has started to distribute one million palm and coconut seedlings per year to farmers are powerful weapons against poverty and bring fertile ground for economic activities and break the cycle of poverty and will spur economic growth capable of yielding N160 millions for Anambra state”.
In his speech, the Hon Commissioner for agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor said that the theme of this year’s farming season is not just about producing foodbut preserving our environment and ensuring the sustainability of our food system”, adding that”Biological farming also known as ‘Regenerative Agriculture’ launched last year by Gov. Soludo, is a sustainable agricultural system that prioritises the use of natural resources and princesses to optimize crop production.
“It is a holistic approach that takes into account the synergy between living organisms and the environment in which they exist; in short, it’s evidence based mimicry of nature”.
Ihejioforurged farmers to embrace the farming practices which involve the use of biological inputs such as bio-complete-compost, vermi-compost, and microbial inoculants, which are derived from plant and animal sources “.
In his remarks, Managing Director, State Emergency Management Agency,(SEMA) ,Chief Paul Odenigbo, represented by MrsChinyereNwoye,drew the attention of farmers on possible flood disaster they would experience this year and called for early precautionary measures to mitigate its effect.
While identifying the flood inclined local government areas to include Anambra East,AnambraWest,IdemmiliSouth,OnitshaNorth,OnitshaSouth,Ekwusigo,Ogbaru and Ihiala,it urged residents of the areas not to hesitate to relocate to upland whenever they noticed significant rise in water levels.
Highlights of the event were Agricultural produce displays by some local government councils, Ministry of agriculture, and locally manufactured machines for processing casava which will reduce post-harvest losses and the distribution of coconut seedlings to traditional rulers, Commissioners, Civil servants and the public.
Prominent personalities that graced the event were, HRH Igwe Alfred Achebe, other traditional rulers, the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. SomtochukwuUdeze, Head of Service,Barr Mrs Theodora Igwegbe, Presidents–General of Town Unions, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of agriculture, Samuel Ike, Esq, Chief of Staff, Ernest Ezeajughi, among others.