Niger Delta
A’Ibom Distributes Fertilisers, Improved Seedlings To Farmers
The Akwa Ibom State Government has commenced the distribution of fertilisers and improved seedlings to farmers in the state.
The State Governor, Umo Eno, who kick-started the exercise on Thursday at Uruan Local Government Area, said the gesture was to support second planting season activities.
He said a total of 12,000 bags of fertilizers and improved seedlings would be distributed to farmers across the state.
He reiterated the commitment of the State Government to support more citizen participation in farming to ensure massive food production.
“Our intention is to take agriculture to another level, a level where young people will see farming as a business activity.
“Our state is blessed with good vegetation, favourable weather, good road network, and adequate security.
“With the availability of land, favourable weather and good vegetation, there is no reason for anyone not to plant what they will consume”, he said.
The Governor said the State Government’s free food initiative was a temporary intervention towards reducing the hardship in the country.
“The lasting solution to the poverty and hunger facing the people is to return to the farm”, he said.
He stated further that the State Government would also distribute 10,000 cassava cuttings, 20,000 improved oil palm seedlings and 5,000 trays of pepper seedlings among others.
“We believe that it is time to go back to the farm. We should make our children to understand the need to get involved in farming very early in life”, he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, urged Akwa Ibom people to key into the state government’s food sufficiency programme.
He expressed the commitment of the ministry to drive the state government’s agriculture initiatives in the interest of food sufficiency and economic prosperity.