Agriculture
GOVERNOR Willie Obiano has pledged to continue to invest in agriculture by providing facilities to encourage all year round farming that will boost food production.
Obiano said the investment would give rise to additional 600, 000 metric tons of rice in 2018 to add to rice production in the state.
The governor said this when he inspected the ongoing construction of the Ogbaru Irrigation Project at Agbagba, Ogbakuba.
The irrigation project is being assisted under FADAMA 3,that includes a Central Pivot System and a sprinkler with capacity to irrigate 100 hectares of land to support dry season farming.
Anambra State government under the FADAMA3 project cleared not less than 5,000 hectares of land for 700 rice farmers.
During the visit, it was observed that rice farmers were using mechanised threshing machine provided to them under the project to process their produce.
Obiano, after the inspection said: “due to my efforts to invest in agriculture, the state is presently producing 345,000 metric tons of rice having exceeded 320,000 metric tons consumption capacity.
“This has been achieved through partnership with private organisations; we will not relent in sustaining the partnership and extend it to other sectors.
“We have set up strong and Special Advisory Agency on mechanised farming to ensure that farmers in the state are in line with latest technological advancements in the Agricultural sector, to compete with our counterparts in other states,” Obiano noted.
The governor hailed the FADAMA 3 programme for proving a veritable partner with the state government in revolutionising agriculture in the state.
He expressed appreciation over the programme’s support to boost sorghum production and train youths across various agricultural belts.
Afam Mbanefo, the commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export, said under the FADAMA 3 Programme, four other irrigation projects were developed at Ezira, Omasi, Ihiala and Omor.
Mbanefo noted also that the state government had embarked on the construction of 11 major roads leading to various agrarian communities, which when completed would aid evacuation of more farm produce to other states.
Chukwuma Egbue, the Anambra State Project Coordinator for FADAMA 3 Programme, notes: “to guarantee the project’s sustainability, an agreement has been reached with the Spanish engineers to operate and maintain it for one year, after which local operators will be trained to take over.’’
Egbue said with support of government, no fewer than 6,000 farmers had already been assisted under the programme, while 300 youth graduates had also been empowered to become farmers.
Eze Chuma Onyia, the traditional ruler of Odekpe, commended Obiano for paying desired attention to development of Agriculture and making the sector lucrative for youths to adopt. He noted: “with the project, they will now be able to undertake dry season farming.’’
– Feb. 28, 2018 @ 17:50 GMT |
Tags: Anambra Govt targets 600000 Metric Tons of rice this year
