Agriculture
THE farmers in Awka South LGA have received agro-inputs from the Anambra State Government in the bid to make the state food sufficient.
In a speech during the distribution at the Local Government Secretariat, Amawbia, the Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the governor on Agricultural Export, Okechukwu Okwuosa, said that the distribution of high yield inputs was a positive step by the state government to eradicate hunger in the state.
Okwuosa, who is the team Leader, said that the distribution was an annual event as agriculture was one of the pillars of Gov. Willie Obiano’s administration.
He said that the governor was interested in getting the best for Ndi Anambra, targeting food security in the state.
“We know that with the flag-off of Wet Planting Season held on June 9 and the distribution of inputs to farmers, in a short while when the harvest time will come, we will be able to achieve food security in Anambra State.
“The essence of the exercise is to properly utilise the inputs to eradicate poverty in the state,’’ he said.
According to him, the state government through the Agric Commissioner, Nnamdi Onukwuba, provided high quality cassava stems, premium maize with high vitamin c content and protein for the rural farmers to achieve food sufficiency in the state.
He emphasised that the farmers owed the state government the obligation of utilising the inputs judiciously to reciprocate government’s efforts to achieve food security for Ndi Anambra.
Okwuosa explained that the liquid fertiliser, okro and tomatoes would go to demonstration farmers to be controlled by the HOD of the LGAs as they were limited.
He urged the HODs to seek the extension officers’ assistance in galvanising the method for the application of the liquid fertiliser.
The team leader said that the government chose to prioritise cassava and maize because of their value chain, noting that there are the staple crops we get in Anambra.
“Cassava is one of the crops you can cultivate in all the 21 LGAs of Anambra State and they will perform well.
“Looking at the maize or corn value chain, it can be roasted, used as pap, cornflakes, custard and even animal feeds.
“This is why the Governor of Anambra State targeted on the distribution of these staple foods in the state,’’ he added.
Chinasa Ezeobi, HOD Agric Awka South LGA, said that the distribution of the agro inputs had shown Gov. Obiano’s determination to make Anambra state first among equals, encountering the production of ‘Target Crops’ for backward integration.
Ezeobi explained that the gesture was to help the rural farmers across the state to achieve bumper harvest, a guarantee for food security using the best agronomic practices.
She said that the present situation in the country had necessitated the increase in the production of horticultural crops in the state.
-14, 2021 @ 11:49 GMT |
Tags: Awka South farmers receive agro inputs from Anambra Government
