….Vows Sanction For Absconding Beneficiaries Agric Empowerment Scheme
Abia State Government has approved the establishment of a CSS large-scale integrated farming structure as part of efforts to advance the present administration’s food security agenda.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Okey Kanu recalled that the State Government last year, sponsored about 302 young Abians to undergo training at CSS farms in Nasarawa State, after which they were empowered.
He explained that the Government has now resolved to replicate the integrated farming model in Abia, with the aim of enhancing the State’s production capacity and providing a training hub for youths interested in Agriculture and Agribusiness.
“Now we are bringing that to the State, and once it is in place, it will not only boost the state government’s production capacity but also serve as a training ground for our teeming youths to venture into agriculture and agribusiness,” he stated.
According to the Commissioner, the State has completed the first phase of the CSS farms and trained farms in Abia with an encouraging success rate of over 80 per cent.
“The success rate of the first phase of this exercise is good at over 80% and this refers to beneficiaries who used the funds that were extended to them judiciously, trained at least three new farmers, and are in a position to pay back the interest-free funds that were extended to them”, he noted.
The Commissioner who recalled that the beneficiaries were promised empowerment to venture into various agricultural specialisations in line with their training, further disclosed that “in the next couple of weeks, all such beneficiaries will be identified and empowered to go into agriculture themselves”.
He however expressed concern over the conduct of 26 beneficiaries who did make themselves available for supervision of their projects and as such cannot account for the funds given to them by government.
Prince Kanu announced that appropriate sanctions will be meted out to erring beneficiaries in the days ahead.
“The details of appropriate sanctions will be meted out to such beneficiaries before the end of the days ahead.
“However, to encourage the beneficiaries who utilized their farms judiciously, the government has decided to empower them some more, and so the details of more support for such beneficiaries is being worked out. They need to be encouraged”, he noted.
Prince Kanu also disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture would soon commence the distribution of improved farm inputs, adding that the process would be data-driven and tied to records gathered during the farmers’ education exercise to ensure only genuine farmers benefit.
“This is just to ensure the credibility of the programme, so that those who are actually into agriculture, who deserve these inputs, will get them”, he said.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, said the training of the 302 Abians was followed by an empowerment programme adding that each of the 302 trained beneficiaries was mandated to train three others.
“We are going to work with them, get a business plan around what they have trained in, and further empower them. So the network continues,” he explained.
He further stated that more Abians would be trained in recognised agricultural institutions across local government areas in order to democratise access and participation.
Dr Agbaeze issued a stern warning to beneficiaries who absconded with government funds, noted that appreciate sanctions would be meted out to them.
“We have their names, pictures, addresses and contacts, and we have said there will be appropriate sanctions which will include making sure the money will be recovered.
“You won’t take Abia State money and bolt. This is not the administration when such things will be allowed to happen”, he warned.
