The Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanization, Processing and Export, Hon. Afam Mbanefo has stated that the giant strides currently being recorded in the state agricultural sector are real and not political gimmicks by the state government.
Hon. Afam Mbanefo speaking at an interactive session with press men in his office at ADP Complex Awka, called on Ndi Anambra to eschew the notion that government is trying to pull the wool over their eyes and embrace the Governor’s vision for Anambra agricultural sector.
“It is high time Ndi Anambra eschew negative notion about the sincerity of government regarding their welfare as it is seriously negating the developmental pace in the state,’ he said.
The Commissioner stated that in some communities in the state, it was very difficult to carry the farmers along because of this belief, citing situations in which farmers find it extremely difficult releasing land to government for agricultural purposes as major hindrances in boosting food production in the state.
“The Ministry is readily available and open to the public for inquires on whatever part of the government policies and plans they are not conversant with, this will help in clearing up misconception about government efforts as data and facts are available to back up every success stories recorded” he added.
Continuing, Hon. Mbanefo urged communities in the state to look at the larger picture partnering with the state government will yield in terms of development, employement and enlightenment.
Answering questions on government‘s efforts towards making Anambra self-sufficient in food production, Hon.Mbanefo, stated that government has gone on massive distribution of farm input to farmers, sensitization programmes on best agro practices that lead to bumper harvest and linking farmers to off takers, who are ready to off take their produce from them.
In addition, the Commissioner listed the provision of credit facilities at low interest rate through collaborations with financing institutions, provision of an export desk, cooperative desk and Agriculture library at the Ministry and the resuscitation of moribund agric projects, as part of the government’s effort.
Speaking further, the Commissioner revealed plans by the state to embark on all year round cultivation of Anambra Rice, through the provision of irrigation facilities at designated communities to increase rice production from 3000 to 4000 hectares obtainable in Anaku and Omor communities to 12 000 hectares. This will reduce scarcity as demand for the rice is coming in from Sierra Leone, Liberia and other parts of the world, he added.
Hon. Mbanefo stressed the importance of farmers to form cooperatives and register the cooperatives at the cooperative desk set up at the Ministry to be part of this revolution. The registration is at a reduced cost for farmers, he added.
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