An all-farmers’ body known as Faith and Good Works Destiny (FAGWOD) has initiated plans to build one of the biggest demonstration farms in Rivers State in the South-South part of Nigeria.
The Chairman of FAGWOD South -South, Jerome Okoh, told The Tide during the body’s zonal meeting in Port Harcourt at the weekend that it has began acquisition of land for that purpose.
He said the association was planning to set up similar farms in the whole of the federation to demonstrate the huge potentials in agric sector.
Okoh disclosed that once the land acquisition sails through, it would partner the Rivers State Government in driving it’s agriculture development plans, stating that already, it has began talks with the Bank of Agriculture in Kaduna for its turn key projects.
“If you go round Rivers State and the entire South-South, the lands are arable and productive, and that is why we at FAGWOD have begun this initiative to make our people wealthy through agriculture”, he said.
He stated that the mission of the group goes beyond farming, and also includes marketing products by farmers while encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in the agro sector as well.
With the ban on importation of many agric products, he challenged both youths and other investors to exploit the initiative of both the state and federal governments to improve food production and security.
On his part, FAGWOD Associate Director General on Internal Affairs, Chief Dandy Osuji, submitted that the body has commenced registration of farmers all over the nation with the aim of boosting wealth creation.
He explained that what differentiates FAGWOD with other farmers’ bodies was that it focuses on cooperative rather than interest organisation to help drive the Federal Government’s policy on agric development.
Osuji maintained that the organisation was on a nationwide campaign to sensitise would-be farmers, and motivate potential leaders in the sector on the need to invest in farming.
He hinted that the next stage would be to hold seminars at all local government areas, stressing, “We want to get to the real people, not those who want to take loan and run away. I mean real farmers at the local level.”
The Associate Director, Secretarial and National Matters, Yahaya Muhammad, said the benefits of joining the group was enormous as it would link farmers to other countries where they can market and learn new methods.