Farmers anywhere around the world whether subsistence or commercial
hold the keys to society’s food sufficiency and ultimate survival.

However, what stands in the face of modern day farmers, especially in
Nigeria remains as huge as it is often recorded

Some farmers and stakeholders in the agro sector on the sideline of the
launch of the 2019 Anambra state Farming Season in Awka.

 The launching of the 2019 farming season in Anambra which has now
become an annual event, serves as one of the  avenues for farmers’ convergence, to compare, compete and chart a new course for new farming season.

Among those who showcased  their stock was Grafil Farms, led by its President, Doctor Foster Ezenwa; who noted that the acceptability of a farmer’s products at the international market should serve as a
motivation for both medium and large scale farmers. 

 In his reaction, Mr. Christopher Okoye who is the Anambra state Coordinator of Kakasawa Global 2000 Project; an African Cassava Agronomy Project that empowers
small-holder farmers, said the improvement of farmers from small scale
agriculturists to commercial agriculturists, forms the bedrock of the
association’s blueprint, a model which he said  they have perfected by improving the subsistence farming system through periodic trainings for farmers in rural areas of up to seven states in Nigeria. 

 Also speaking, Mr. Alex Nnoruka, the Head, Anambra Community Farmers’ Development Forum, argued that the misperception of farming as an alternative venture has contributed to its growing neglect especially among the youth, and advocated  reorientation of people on  farming as  a way of reversing  the neglect of agriculture.

Also speaking, Prince Ugochukwu Okpalaeke, a livestock farmer,  said he has been able to increase his agro margin with the help of loans from the Anambra Small Business Agency, ASBA, while Mr. Emeka Iloghalu, the Managing Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency,  agreed that the history of agriculture, despite the odds, is bright given the huge supports of government and other developing systems that aid the  expansion  of the agric value chain.  

The Anambra Small Business Agency, ASBA, provides soft loans for small
and medium scale entrepreneurs in Anambra State, to push up their
businesses, and become part of the developmental drives of the present
administration.

The ASBA boss, Chief Clement Chukwuka in an interview  said the success of Prince
Okpalaeke’s livestock farming, paints a clearer picture of what the Anambra State Government looks to achieve with the Agency, and noted that the commitment  of Governor Willie Obiano in this direction makes the objective even easier to achieve.

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