2,000 Anambra Farmers To Get Inputs

The Anambra State Government is to give at least 2,000 farmers in the 21 local government areas of the state agricultural inputs for the 2017 wet season farming.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Afam Mbanefo, stated this at the commencement of the distribution of the inputs to farmers in Awka recently .
Mbanefo, represented by Mr Leo Imoka, said that beneficiaries would collect their inputs at five designated centres across the state, adding that the five redemption centres are Awka North, Anambra North, Anambra South, Ayamelum, and Orumba local government areas.
He said the distribution of the inputs was in line with the state government’s sustained effort at encouraging year-round farming, pointing out that the state government was ready and committed to boost agricultural activities with a view to making Anambra among states notable for high and sustainable food production.
“We also target at using agriculture to open up employment opportunities for thousands of youths as well as increase the state revenue footing,’’ he said.
He noted that Anambra State people were lucky to have produced a farmer-friendly governor in the person of Chief Willie Obiano.
He added: “Farmers must make good use of the opportunities being provided by government’’.
Earlier, the Coordinator, Anambra State Value Chain Development Programme, Mr Nnamdi Agwuncha, had said that all the inputs needed for successful farming activities had been purchased and stored for onward distribution to farmers.
Agwuncha explained that the inputs were provided with the support of international partners and federal agencies.
He said beneficiaries would pay back after harvest at very low interest rate.
He advised the beneficiaries to take the programme seriously as the scheme is capable of empowering them financially.
Agwuncha assured the beneficiaries that the inputs would be distributed evenly to all, and urged them not to see the programme as a share of their national cake.
The event was attended by the Programme Manager of Anambra State Agricultural Development Programme, Mr Jude Nwankwo, Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ebogha, and  the Managing Director of Udoka Farms Ltd, Mr Paul Udoka, among others.