Obiano Inaugurates Anambra 2019 Farming Season In Awka

Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano has inaugurated Anambra State 2019 Farming Season asking everyone to embrace agriculture.

The ceremony took place at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka and the inauguration which has its theme as, “Farm Cluster Development: A Vehicle for Sustainable Agriculture”, attracted members of the State Executive Council, Anambra State House of Assembly members, APGA stalwarts, farmers, among others.

The Governor on arrival toured the various local government stands displaying different types of farm produce including rice, fish, vegetables, and livestock among others.

According to him, the ceremony afforded him an opportunity to review the last farming season, assess state government’s efforts in food sufficiency and export with a view to identifying areas of improvement.

Chief Obiano explained that even though a number of factors including flood, flashpoints of lingering conflicts, among others affected last year’s projected output, all the performance index were impressive.

The Governor pointed out that his administration will continue to
integrate the youths in all its empowerment programs, establishment of fish farms in three senatorial districts of the state and increased agricultural training activities. 

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Nnamdi Onukwuba described this year’s theme as apt, noting that Anambra farmers are proud of the purpose driven agricultural policies of the present government which according to him has impacted positively on their wellbeing, income generation and employment opportunities for the youths.

While enumerating various intervention programms of the Federal Government, Mr. Ogochukwu Nkenebe who represented the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that Anambra has been consistent in the official launch of the farming season describing it as commendable as it affords the state and stakeholders a veritable platform to interact. 

In  his remarks, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Uchenna Okafor commended the Governor for introducing all year round farming among other achievements in the agricultural sector, asking him to sustain the tempo as the State House of Assembly is always ready to support his people oriented plans and policies through the enactment of quality laws.

Speaking to newsmen, the immediate past Transition Committee Chairman for Orumba North Local Government Area, Mrs. Ify Obinabo suggested that distribution of quality seedlings be done earlier in the year for improved output.

The Governor also launched the following schemes; Api Culture, Improved Export Promotion, Establishment of Anambra Farmer’s Shop, Set Up of Smart Weather Soldiers Scheme, Cluster Farm Land Reservation Scheme and Youths in Agriculture Program.