Enugu state government says agriculture is a top priority and as such ready to make the state the food basket of the nation.
This was made known during the world food day 2024 celebration held in Enugu at the state ministry of Agriculture and Agro industrialization.
The Governor who was represented by the commissioner for innovation, science and technology, prince Lawrence Ezeh, said all the farm produce displayed were not imported from other states , they were farmed and harvested un the state.
He said the state is doing its best to support the ministry to make sure that Agriculture is moved to a level where there will be zero level of hunger in the state.
He said they will not only support Agriculture at the local.level, the state is taking Agriculture to a mechanised stage where citizens will not only have access to feeding but at the same time engage yourself to work in mechanised farms coming into the state.
He said what the state is doing today is to make one resolution that Enugu State will no more rely on farm produce from neighbouring states.
He said at the rate the Ministry is going, that by this time next year,the state will start exporting food to neighbouring States.
He said most of the moribund companies that are been resuscitated will not look elsewhere for raw materials to function, what they need will be made avaliable in the state.
He commended the commissioner for a work weldone.
The SSG Prof Chidiebere Onyia in his address said this year world food day theme which is “Right to food for better life and better future” is in line with the state’s visions for every individual to have access to the most basic human rights which is the right to adequate and nutritous food.
He said we reaffirm our commitment to a sustainable future where agriculture plays a major role in our developmental journey.
Our vision for Enugu state is to build an agricultural sector that will not only meet local demand but serve as a food security.
Agriculture remains the back bone of the state’s economy and development, and the effort that is been made today, are geared towards maximum achieveing this project.
He said the state is also advancing on Agro allied processing zone in the three senatorial zones in the state. This measures are aimed at creating jobs and encouraging local processing to ensure that the benefit of Agriculture extends from the farm to the entire value chain.
He said over 60 thousand registered farmers have been supported in the state by providing vital inputs such as fertilizers and agro chemicals . It is important to note that the support is aimed towards productivity to improve crop yield and make farming more sustainable in the state.
He said through partnership from donor Agencies, the state is also investing in specific value chain including cassava, rice, sorghum to enhance agricultural growth and rural development. He said the one thousand tractors already in the state will enhance productivity.
The SSG said today’s world food day is a reminder that food security is a shared responsibility as we all work together to meet the needs of our citizens which will help sharp the life of the people of the state.
Earlier the commissioner for Agriculture Mr Patrick Uburu in his address said the world food day os an occasion that highlights the importance of food security and the fundamental rights to adequate nutrition for all individuals. He said this years theme “Right to food for better life and better future aligns with the state government’s on-going efforts in ensuring that citizens of the state have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
He said the Governor made Agriculture a central piller of his administration’s vision which is to transform the state into a food basket and an export hub and to grow the state’s economy.
Presently the state Ministry of Agriculture has been able to acquire 60,000 hectares areas of land to add to the initial 300,000 hectares of farm farmland earmarked for Agricultural production.
He said the state has also aligned with the federal government’s initiative to establish special Agro- industrial processing zones (SAPZ) in each senatorial zone. This initiative is aims to create conducive environment for agricultural processing and value addition, enhancing our capacity to transform raw agricultural products into finished goods, thereby creating jobs and boosting our local economy.
Also, the state government has supported 60,000 thousand registered farmers with free fertilizers, power tillers, agro input and other vital agricultural inputs. These social safetyness and intervention are designed to promote effective and efficient production, empowering our farmers to maximise their farm produce and improve their livelihoods.
He said the state has also commenced the traning of women and youths on food processing and nutrition drawn across the 17 LGAs . The state has also trained numerous youths and women aged 18 to 35 on integrated practice.
The ministry he said also introduced green House farming which allowa for efficient and sustainable cultivation of various varieties of pepper tomatoes and vegetables.
He said as this year’s theme implies, we must advocate for policies that safe guide the right to food, promote sustainable agricultural practices, support our most vulnerable population and create a future where the people of the state enjoy the right to food , paving way for better lives.
