Farmers in Abia have been urged to make optimal use of their farm inputs to boost food production in Abia state and Nigeria at large.
The Commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko who gave the charge, before handing over the cassava inputs to the beneficiaries at Egwunaeleke Civic Hall Umuahia North LGA, said that the programme was designed by government to cushion the negative effects of COVID 19 on various communities and advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs to enable others benefit.
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A total of 19 Farmers from Egwunaeleke/Akpahia Farmers Community Association in Umuahia North LGA received 57 bags of N.P.K. and Urea Fertilizers, 76 cans of herbicide and 570 bundles of cassava stems from the Abia State Food Security NG- CARES RESULT AREA 2 Project to further boost food production in the State.
Also speaking, the program manager, Abia State Agricultural Development Program (ADP) Chief Israel Amanze reminded farmers that government is fulfilling various promises made to them and urged them to continue to support the state government which approved the distribution of the inputs.
Giving a rundown of their activities in the state, the Project Coordinator, Abia State food security NG Cares result Area 2 Project, Pastor Ibe Johnson said out of the 70 beneficiaries in Egwunaeleke/Akpahia Farmers Community Association, 19 will receive cassava inputs another 19 will get cassava assets while others will be empowered with piggery , poultry and fishery assets.
Pastor Johnson noted that they have also built a solar powered borehole with toilet facilities in Egwunaeleke community pointing out that arrangements are on to rehabilitate existing farm roads in the community and revealed that 30 communities across the state have benefited from the gesture while more will benefit once funds are made available.
Expressing their gratitude on behalf of other beneficiaries, the President General of Egwunaeleke community Elder Ozoemelam Ejiogu and a beneficiary Lucy Ariwodo thanked the state government and the management of Abia State NG-Cares project for including their community in their program and promised to make good use of the inputs to boost food production in the State.
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