In a bid to strengthen Smallholder farmers in the State, the State government through the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency & New Partnership for African Development (AUDA-NEPAD), has distributed inputs to 340 poultry farmers, 150 fish farmers and 170 vegetable farmers across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking during the event held at the premises of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, noted that the programme underscores his administration’s strong support for agricultural transformation and its resolve to position the state as a hub for agribusiness and food production.
The Governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, described the Small Holder farmers as the engine of food security in every nation and reiterated that agriculture will continue to be given its pride of place under his administration with a view to repositioning and rebranding the sector to launch Abians into the next phase of prosperity.
Governor Otti while appreciating the collaborative efforts between the AUDA-NEPAD, further described the event as well prepared, well intended and focused, adding that any government that wants to launch the citizens to the next phase of prosperity must be intentional in what it does with agriculture.
He commended the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze and his team for making sure that Abians are given quality agricultural support in line with his vision and urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the inputs are used for the purpose they are provided for.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Agriculture and State Focal Person for AUDA-NEPAD, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, said the day marks another significant step in the commitment of the administration of Governor Alex Otti to reposition agriculture as a strong pillar for economic growth, food security and rural prosperity in the state.
Dr. Agbaeze noted that the programme is not just about distribution of inputs but is aimed at empowering Abia farmers, strengthening food systems and building a more resilient agricultural sector in the State, adding that the phase of intervention focused on distribution of critical farm inputs to trained poultry, fisheries and vegetable farmers who has already been captured in the Abia State Agriculture Dynamic Database System (Abia ADDS).
In her welcome address, the State Project Coordinator AUDA-NEPAD Innovative Strengthening of Smallholder Farmers Initiative, Mrs. Catherine Osondu, appreciated the Governor for his sustained commitment in ensuring that Abia State participates in the AUDA-NEPAD Smallholder Farmers’ Initiative, and reminded the beneficiaries that the inputs provided to them are not gifts but support that will significantly boost their agricultural production and encouraged them to apply them wisely.
Contributing, the State Technical Consultant on Abia ADDS, Mr. Emeka Nwachinemerem, noted that 53,000 Abia farmers have been captured across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, assuring that more farmers will be captured in the Abia ADDS platform to create a better future for Abia farmers.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr. Hafuruchi Joseph, thanked the state government for training and empowering them and assured that the items will be utilized properly.
Highpoints of the event was symbolic presentation of the farm inputs to the beneficiaries including poultry juveniles, fish fingerlings, fertilizers, livestock feeds and herbicides by the Governor’s representative and was graced by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Promotion and Public Private Partnership, Chief Green Amakwe, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Ease of Doing Business, Agbonma Uka-Obasi, former State FADAMA Coordinator and Supervisor for Agriculture, Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Dr. Ezinne Otuka, among other government functionaries.
