A’Ibom Govt. Distributes Farm Inputs To Cooperative Societies
Akwa Ibom Government has commenced distribution of farm inputs to farmers group and cooperative societies in the state, as part of measures to boost food production.
The distribution of the items was flagged off by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor in Uyo on Thursday.
Offor, while addressing farmers and other stakeholders during the exercise, reiterated government’s resolve to support different categories of farmers in the state.
“We have already distributed inputs to some groups during the official flag-off of the first planting season.
“Government will reach out to more groups in order to boost food production.
“Farmers will be supported with agricultural machinery to aid land preparation for farming, farm inputs, agro-chemicals and access to finance, for the overall aim of expanding farming activities,” he said.
Offor stated that the ministry had deployed extension agents to each of the benefiting cooperative societies, schools and farming groups to offer technical support, monitor and evaluate progress.
She urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items to enhance food sufficiency in the state.
The commissioner commended members of Women Agro-Link International Foundation (WALIF) for being passionate about agriculture.
She said that that her visit to the farm owned by the group and other groups was an indication that they were taking agriculture seriously.
According to her, the exercise is a fulfillment of government’s determination to equip farmers with improved farm inputs for better yields.
Offor urged the farmers to be focused on proper cultivation of the inputs in order to reduce the current high cost of food in the country.
The commissioner warned the beneficiaries against selling the inputs, stressing that anyone caught in such act would be penalised.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in the state, Mr Bassey Enwang, thanked the government for supporting farmers from time to time.
Enwang pledged to ensure maximum utilisation of the farm inputs provided by the state government.
Leader of Women Agro-Link International Foundation, (WALIF), Mrs Theresa Akpan, said that the group was massively cultivating its 60 hectares of farmland at Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.
Akpan commended the state government for supporting farmers with inputs, saying that they would help in boosting food production in the state.
The farm inputs distributed to the cooperative groups included: improved cassava cuttings, coconut seedlings, raised pepper seedlings and agro-chemicals.
NAN/Oyenike Oyeniyi
