To boost production for internal consumption and for exports to other countries, the Abia State Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu has underscored the need for farmers from the South East Zone to go into full-time mechanized agriculture by utilizing modern technologies in agricultural cultivation.
To this end, he has announced that the present administration will partner with foreign investors desirous of ensuring that Agriculture gets its pride of place in the State’s economy.
Engr Emetu who stated this when members of the All Farmers Association Of Nigeria (AFAN) paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Umuahia said modalities are being worked out to bring in experts that will transform the various Palm Estates across the State to make them viable and improve the State’s IGR as agriculture remains the bedrock of any State and Nation.
The Deputy Governor announced that the efforts of the Government in championing the advancement of agriculture and contributing to the growth of the State is yielding dividends as Abia is to benefit from the 22.3 million dollar grant to Nigeria as part of the six States representing the country among the Cocoa Producing States.
The Deputy Governor reassured members of the State Chapter of AFAN of Government’s continued assistance to resolving all their internal problems and urged them to think outside of the box by working together on ways to generate revenue and move the agricultural sector forward in the State.
Presenting their address, the State Chairman of AFAN, Comrade Ndudim Ikelua said they are the agricultural foot soldiers of the MDAS as well as an umbrella body of farmers, cooperatives, Commodity Association and agro-input bodies that has members across the wards, LGAs and States of the Nation.
They assured of their unalloyed support to the Dr Alex Otti’s led administration while soliciting Government’s assistance in addressing some of their challenges which included, lack of farm implements and funds that would enable them drive mechanized agriculture as well as inability to participate in agricultural programs at the National level and recovering of their properties among others.
