In Anamba state, No fewer than 4, 000 farmers in Orumba North Local Government Area are to benefit from the government’s subsidised agricultural inputs in the state.
The farmers will receive pro-vitamin cassava stems free while herbicides, insecticides and fertilisers would be accessed at a subsidised rate,The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.
Mr Afam Mbanefo, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, made this disclosure on Friday when he delivered truckloads of the inputs to farmers at the council’s headquarters in Ajalli.
Mbanefo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Leo Imoka, said the gesture was in fulfillment of the promise made by Gov. Chief Willie Obiano to farmers during the inauguration of the 2017 farming season in Awka.
The commissioner said that the inputs would be extended to farmers across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state irrespective of their political party inclinations.
Mr Jude Nwankwo, the Programme Manager of the Anambra Agricultural Development Programme, ADP), said that Anaocha and Awka North Local Government Areas had already benefitted from the gesture.
Nwankwo explained that the programme was aimed at consolidating government’s efforts to enhance rice and vegetable production.
He advised the beneficiaries to ensure that they plant the cassava stems within five days and apply the fertilisers according to instruction.
According to him, wrong planting and non-adherence to technical instructions by farmers often result to low yield, but the state has enough extension officials to assist the farmers.
The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr Mike Ogbuekwe, restated that agriculture was one of the top priorities of the present administration to address hunger and poverty.
With the milestone already recorded in rice production, the state is on the right track in tackling hunger, poverty and unemployment,’’ he said.
Mr Aforka Emeka, the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North Local Government Area, said 16 communities in the area had already accessed N20 million each under the ‘Choose Your Community Project Initiative’ of the Obiano administration.
“Since Gov. Obiano assumed office, he has introduced many people-oriented projects, which today, have changed the development narrative of Anambra people.
“Gov. Obiano spent more than N400 million to address more than 10 years electricity problem in Orumba North.
“He also approved the release of N10 million to some communities for market development projects and rehabilitated the Ajali General Hospital among other things,’’ he said.
Emeka advised the people of his council to be steadfast under the Obiano government, as the agricultural programme of the administration had already improved the state’s socio-economic condition.
NAN
