Speaking at the flag-off of Abia North Senatorial zone farming season in Bende Local Government Area of the state, Governor Alex Otti represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Monica Ironkwe, also expressed his zeal to reposition agriculture in the state through revolutionizing agricultural practice from subsistence to mechanized level.
He described the theme of the year 2024 farming season, “Boosting food production; let’s get back to the farm”, as apt and most appropriate, particularly at this time of food scarcity and hunger.
Gov. Otti, who harped on the importance of diversifying Abia economy, embracing agriculture as an economic mainstay and the need to conserve foreign reserve by reducing the appetite for imported foods that can easily be produced locally, pointed out that Abia with its blessed vast granaries vegetation, arable land and abundant water resources could unlock its revenue potentials through the oil palm, rubber, rice, cocoa, cassava, fisheries, livestock production among others.
The governor who also saluted the farmers for their unwavering support to his leadership, assured that his administration will not fail in its mandate to build a sustainable Abia economy through agriculture and boosting food sufficiency through encouraging Abians to embrace farming.
Earlier in his speech, the Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo, who described Dr. Otti, as a Governor who does not toy with agriculture, disclosed that after two weeks of assumption of office, he in company of the Senior Special Assistant to the governor and also the Governor’s Special Adviser on Agriculture, took the Bulgarians round the local government for soil sampling and testing, which he expressed optimism would usher in and boost mechanized farming in the area.
Also he disclosed plans to train farmers in the L.G.A, come April 12, an opportunity, he said would help in improved production.
“Abia North Senatorial zone farming season flag-off is a significant event. We all know that for a long time now, it has not been like this. Gov. Alex Otti is running a responsible Government and he is responsive to the yearnings of his people. We are also working with the governor and replicating what he is doing in Bende Local Government. Recently, we distributed over 150 rice seedlings to selected rice farmers to enable them go into their farms in this farming season”, Nwankwo also disclosed.
Also Chief Onuoha Ogba, the Mayor of Ohafia L.G.A, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Oju Uka, described Gov. Otti as the governor of farmers, whose plans for agriculture is huge.
In a brief speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Ijeoma Aguwa, disclosed the ministry’s intention to create a database for genuine farmers to eliminate political farmers, which will be done at the local government levels.
