FG re-assures farmers of support in A’Ibom

L-R: Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio and Managing Director, Diamond Bank PLC, Mr. Alex Oti, at the presentation of Most Valuable Governors’ Wives Award to Mrs Akpabio, on Monday  in Abuja.

The Federal Government has reassured farmers of adequate support during dry season farming in Akwa Ibom.

Mr Mike Mku, the Chairman, Board of Directors of Cross River Basin Development Authority, gave the assurance on Friday when he inaugurated during the Flag off of Dry Season Cropping at Oniong Nung Ndem irrigation project in Onna LGA.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources would ensure adequate funding of water Resources Infrastructure for irrigation and drainage to support all year round cropping.

“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources in conjunction with the Federal and State Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Local Government will synergise to guarantee maximum support to our farmers.
“For profitable dry season cropping for all year round employment, wealth creation, improved standard of living and drastic reduction of our huge food import bill among other benefits,’’ he said.
Mku urged farmers to register their co-operatives, water users associations in order to get the best support from government.

He said that the flagging off was to showcase the modest achievement of dry season cropping and to celebrate the farmers in the state.
“This is clear and manifestation evidence that the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan is transforming the Agriculture and Water Resources sector of our economy as in other sectors,’’ he said.
Mku said the development of modern irrigation and drainage system would improve overall irrigation efficiency and productivity and reduce labour requirements for irrigation.

He called on the teeming young people to consider modern irrigated agric business as a means of livelihood, saying that government was ready to support at all levels to make agriculture a viable and profitable venture.
Mku appealed to farmers to adopt “Owner Mentality’’ in the security, protection, operation, maintenance and management of irrigation and drainage infrastructure provided.

“The Management and staff of the Cross River Basin Development are also directed to redouble their efforts in providing a conducive environment and necessary assistance to the farmers,’’ Mbu warned.

Mr Ufot Akpan, Chairman of Onna Local Government Area, commended the efforts of the President on the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in the country.
He said that the flag off would create the much desired impact for short term and long term farming in the area.

Akpan said that the role of Cross River Basin Development Authority if well manage would make food insecurity a thing of the past.
He assured the farmers of his administration cooperation and support to make the exercise success.