Plantain Farmer Seeks Modern Implements

A plantain farmer from Adada community in  Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mrs. Ada Romeo, has appealed to the Rivers State government to come to the aid of farmers in the area.

Mrs Romeo who made the appeal in an exclusive interview with our special correspondent over the weekend at Adada said, over the years, farmers in the area only make use of crude implements.

She said the situation had compelled many farmers in the area to abandon cultivation of the crop which according to her, was the mainstay  of the area.

“From time immemorial, my people are known for cultivating plantain and due to crude implements used, some of us have withdrawn from farming which is very bad.” she complained.

She said  most of the farmers were into subsistence agriculture, and urged the government to provide inputs such as modern farming tools, improved seedlings and fertilizer among other incentives, to boost mass production.

Mrs. Romeo said that the people of Odual in particular were renowned major producers of plantain and banana, adding that lack of access road had posed a problem in the transportation of agricultural products to other parts of the local government.

While extolling the leadership qualities of the Rivers State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, she drew the attention of the governor to the poor state of the Ogbema link road and called on the government to take urgent steps in restoring the Ogbema waterfront feeder road.

“I know our governor listens to his people, therefore let him come to our aid by putting the Ogbema feeder road in order so that the people of Odual will have a sense of belonging in the local government in particular and the state in general,”  She appealed.

Mrs. Romeo further expressed the hope that the Chairman of the local government area, Mr. Udi Odum would put machinery in place to see that the road which runs through his community would be tarred before he leaves office.