Elechi Tasks Public Officers On Part-time Farming

Governor Martin Elechi
of Ebonyi State has urged public office holders and professionals in various field of endeavour to practice ‘part-time’ farming.
Elechi gave the advice in Abakaliki at the launch of the 2015 farming season and inauguration of 2, 430 units of agricultural equipment worth N368million.
According to the governor, farming is the best of all endeavours, as it gives joy and satisfaction to those who practice it.
“Our tight schedules might not allow us to practice farming as a profession but we should form the habit of engaging in part-time farming. “It is a good source of recreation, relaxation and makes life more comfortable,” he said.
Elechi described farming as a challenging and hazardous endeavour and urged farmers to insure their farms and farm products with insurance companies.
The governor called on relevant authorities to properly maintain farm equipment and implements distributed to them on the occasion to serve the intended purpose.
State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Romanus Nwasum, said that it was the first time in the state’s history that 2, 430 units of agricultural equipment procured by the government would be given to relevant institutions, agencies and farmers.
“The equipment cost the state government N368million and as a good gesture would automatically reduce the drudgery associated with farm work, especially in rice production, to the barest minimum. “This will in turn increase productivity and sustainability of food security in the state, he said Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture, who was represented Dr Anselm Opara, Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Ebonyi, commended the state government for its commitment towards enhancing agriculture in the state.
“More than 100,000 Ebonyi farmers have benefited from the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme since its inception in the country.
“The Federal Government will always provide Ebonyi with all grants and extension programmes among other incentive that would enhance agricultural development in the state,” he said.
Relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector gave goodwill messages at the occasion as the governor distributed the farm equipment to beneficiaries.
The distributed agricultural equipment include: tractors, harvesters, tillers, winnowers, rotary weeders, fertilizer spreaders, among others.