GOVERNOR Willie Obiano has declared that Anambra State would beat Kebbi’s agricultural feat as leading agricultural state in Nigeria in less than two years.

Obiano made this prediction while declaring at the 2017 Trade Fair/Agric Show/World Food Day open at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

The governor said that Anambra had all it took to achieve this feat stressing, with structures on ground the state was set to achieve its target of producing a million metric tons of rice in 2018.

He praised efforts of Anambra farmers.

According to him Anambra farmers have been unflinching in their support for realisation of the present administration’s quest to make the state self-sufficient in food production.

“Their support and commitment has led to export of Anambra produce, not only to neighbouring states but also beyond the shores of the country.

The governor, then, said the state was set to export five million tubers of Anambra yams by next year.

Earlier, Afam Mbanefo, commissioner of Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export, in an address urged farmers not to relent in their efforts as the governor was solidly behind them.

He said that no fewer than 56 farmers’ cooperatives would be empowered by the governor with agro equipment and inputs to enhance food production in the state.

Mbanefo noted that the state would go into massive production of vegetables during dry season farming to in order to meet local and international demands for vegetables from Nigeria.

Amaka Ilobi, the commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Market and Wealth, commended Gov. Obiano’s support toward hosting of the second Anambra Trade Fair.

Some agro equipment, such as De-stoners, tillers, threshers and hybrid vitamin C Cassava stems, and other agro-inputs were distributed to 56 registered (farmers’) cooperatives.

– Oct 20, 2017 @ 18:15 GMT |