As part of Akwa Ibom State Government’s plan to boast it industrial take off, Akwa Palms Limited; an Agro-allied Investment in Esit Eket Local Government Area is to be reactivated to help create employment and sustain the economy of the state. Governor Emmanuel announced this while flagging off this year’s Second Season Planting at the Seed Multiplication Farm, in Eket Local Government Area.
The Governor who acknowledged that the state is blessed with arable land and weather which favour all season cultivation stated that his administration is determined to redirect focus from oil to agriculture which had been the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy.
“We want to change the face of farmers in the state. We are here in line with our vision for poverty alleviation and job creation. Our dream is to turn the state to food basket of this region. I believe this dream is achievable because of the good vegetation, climate and soil which the state is endowed with. As a first step towards realising this purpose, I constituted a committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency. This explain the reason for our gathering here today.” Governor Udom stated.
He assured that the days of peasant farming was over as he is poised to revive the agricultural sector and used the occasion to urged the people to rise to the challenge of exploiting the vast agricultural resources available in the state and grow more crops for consumption and export.
The State Chief Executive noted that the phenomenon of two or more planting seasons within a year, is to ensure food sufficiency and sustainability and that in no distant time farmers in the state will smile to the bank with high yield as his administration has made available improved seedlings for cultivation through mechanised farming.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural resources Dr Mathew Nathan, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his commitment towards the development of agriculture in the state. He spoke of the Technical Committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency as a child of necessity stressing that the committee has what it takes to reposition farming in the state.
The Chairman Eket Local Government Council, Mr Francis Archibong, the Ntisong Ibibio Obong Essien Ekidem and President Eket Local Government Chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (ALFAN), Mr Dennis Ekong, in their solidarity speeches, expressed appreciation to the Governor for making agriculture a priority in his administration. They expressed optimism that the gesture will bring down the cost of food items in the state.
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