The Anambra State Government has flagged off the 2021 wet season farming.

Governor Willie Obiano performed the function at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

Government House correspondent, Ejike Abana reports that the event which has the theme “Empowering the youths in agriculture for sustainable development,” witnessed agric fair, launching of the compendium, among others.

In his remark, Governor Obiano, who said that the event will be his last flag off of farming season, pointed out that his administration has succeeded in putting measures in place for sustainable agricultural practices in the State.

The Governor, who described the flag off as his last parting gift to Anambra farmers, urged them to make it remarkable, adding that three things, which are important in agriculture are its suitability to the people, ability to protect environment and economic opportunities, all of which his administration has always promoted.

While stating that the thrust of his government is to pay attention to yields in hectares, because Anambra doesn’t have enough lands, Governor Obiano noted that in view of the global economic realities, he feels justified making agriculture his number one pillar, calling on more Ndi Anambra to venture into agriculture.

 

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Nnamdi Onukwuba explained that one thousand youths from three senatorial zones of the State will be engaged in rice production in the over one thousand, one hundred and seventy-seven hectares of land developed at Ndikelionwu in Orumba South under the Central Bank of Nigerian loan scheme, expected to increase overall rice production from four hundred and forty thousand metric tonnes in 2020 to five hundred and twenty five thousand  metric tonnes in 2021.

While thanking the Governor for his drive in agriculture, Mr. Onukwuba said that there are two fish villages under construction at Adazi Nnukwu and Aguleri, with a total of six hundred ponds, which will further engage six hundred youths when completed, noting that the Ministry projects to expand production of horticultural crops, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, ginger and other vegetables to enable Anambra State become self-sufficient, among others.

In an interview, the member representing Njikoka Constituency Two at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Pete Ibida said that Governor Obiano has invested so much in agriculture, which made it possible for farmers in the State to engage in year-round farming, even as he stressed that there is room for improvement before the end of his tenure.

 

At the event, there was distribution of agro input, inorganic fertilizers cassava stem bundles, certified rice seeds, okro and tomato seeds, animal feed for sheep and goats.

 

The event also witnessed the presence of Government officials, including members of the State Executive Council, the legislature led by the Speaker, Right Honourable Uche Okafor, Transition Committee Chairmen, farmers, among others.

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