The Mayor of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Chief Sunny Afurobi, has taken a significant step towards revitalizing the agricultural sector by hosting an engagement meeting with the Umunneochi chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
The meeting, a ground-breaking initiative attended by AFAN’s Umunneochi LGA Chapter Chairman, Mr. Justice Onyekwere, Public Relations Officer, Hon. Obiesie Samuel, Ugoeze Rosy Ohia, and other prominent stakeholders, was hailed as a historic event, marking a new era for the local government’s farming community.
The participants expressed their satisfaction, noting that this was the first engagement of its kind in Umunneochi since the establishment of the LGA in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
During the meeting, the farmers commended the Mayor for his visionary leadership and pledged their unwavering support for the administration. Representing thousands of members, they vowed to enhance agricultural productivity to benefit both Umunneochi residents and external markets.
The farmers highlighted the need for support in acquiring quality seedlings, cassava stems, and manpower to maximize the use of their available hectares of arable land; and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to partner with the Mayor while committing to aligning with the administration’s goals.
In response, the Mayor reaffirmed his commitment to agriculture, emphasizing his personal involvement in farming, and expressed concern over Umunneochi residents sourcing foodstuffs from outside the LGA. He urged farmers to harness the area’s untapped agricultural resources, such as indigenous vegetables, roots, and herbs, to boost the local economy.
Chief Afurobi, who encouraged the farmers to expand their membership and align with “Abia Arise,” a platform initiated by the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, highlighted the Governor’s outstanding contributions to Umunneochi’s development, and assured the farmers of his support in advancing their agricultural initiatives.
Among the farmers’ requests was the establishment of a cassava processing plant, which the Mayor said could be realized once production volumes increase to sustain such a facility. He also addressed their call for a supervisory councillor on agriculture, explaining that while the role had been addressed previously, future discussions within the framework of “Abia Arise” could address additional concerns.
While the meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties agreeing to hold regular engagements to advance food security and agricultural development in Umunneochi, the Mayor pledged to channel resources effectively for the benefit of the community, while the farmers committed to increased productivity and collaboration with the administration.
This pivotal meeting underscores the Mayor’s dedication to fostering sustainable development and food security in Umunneochi, setting the stage for a thriving agricultural sector in the years ahead.
