Speaking at the event held at Rice Dam Bende LGA of the State, Governor Ikpeazu who described rice as a tool for sustainable rural economic transformation noted that agricultural development as one of the pillars of his administration is geared towards providing employment opportunities, food security and wealth creation.
The Governor represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture,Barr.Mrs Nwamaka Ikonne noted that his administration has done alot to encourage Agricultural development in the state especially in areas such as oil palm revolution with procurement of tenera palm seedlings,
creation of condusive agribusiness, introduction of mechanization,highly lucrative mushroom farming and establishment of poultry clusters as well as a rice processing mill at Uzuakoli among others.
While reiterating the state government’s support to rice farmers across the state, governor Ikpeazu maintained that Abia keyed into the Federal government’s advocacy for national rice production since 2017 through the creation of Abia state Accelerated Rice Development Programme with the production of Made in Abia Rice known as Osikapa Abia,adding that the state will maintain the lead in rice production with implementation of the rice policy.
The Coordinator, Abia State Accelerated Rice Development Programme, Pastor Okechukwu Dike,in his address earlier said the rice planting season will be revolutionary to the business of Osikapa Abia Processing and marketing as well as to the rice farmers that will participate in the out-grower business model of rice farm production.
According to him, the establishment of Abia rice mill at Uzuakoli by the Ikpeazu administration will not only ensure adequate rice production of Osikapa Abia to the citizenry but will also put a stop to the importation of foreign rice.
He called on the state government to assist them in revamping the Rice Dam assuring that he will partner with relevant agencies to make the dam a huge venue for fishing and other social activities.
In their goodwill messages, the Representative of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter, Ndudim Ikeluo and the representative of Rice Farmers Association in the state, Okechukwu Akobundu, thanked the Governor for promoting rice production through establishment of a rice mill as well as support to agricultural development through the distribution of farm implements, improving seedlings and financial aid to farmers in the state.
The 2019/2020 Rice Farming Season featured the ceremonial planting of rice and distribution of farm implements to farmers by the Governor.
