In her pursuit of attaining food sufficiency amidst the lingering food crisis in the nation, the Akwa Ibom State Government has distributed agricultural inputs to support rice farmers.
Performing the exercise on the 4th of July, 2024 at the Open field, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat Complex, Uyo, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, emphasized government’s commitment to support rice farmers with improved seeds in order to boost rice production and ensure food sufficiency.
Offor reasoned that the decision to empower farmers with improved variety of rice seeds in a time when inflation is on the increase is not a mean feat, and as such the inputs must be put to good use by the beneficiaries.
“We are giving out over 20 tons of improved rice seeds to farmers in Akwa Ibom State this planting season, therefore we expect a bumper to harvest of rice this year,” she stated
The Commissioner remarked that this year, government’ emphasis is on support to groups, hence the Ministry has taken time to verify benefiting groups for the empowerment, all to combat inflation, increase rice production and stabilize the price of the commodity in the State.
The Don who lauded Governor Pastor Umo Eno for his agriculture-friendly policies, noted that the government in the next phase will support rice farmers with agro chemicals to boost rice production.
Dr. Offor hinted that extension officers have been attached to all the benefiting groups, to offer them the required technical support and report performance to the Ministry for necessary action.
She encouraged beneficiaries to adopt good agronomic practices for bountiful yield and cautioned that any group that does not put the input to good use will not benefit from government support in the future.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Mary Ukoette Bassey, explained that the thorough verification process conducted by the Ministry before the distribution was to identify genuine farmers from impersonators.
Bassey, expressed hope that the distribution will enhance bountiful harvest that would lead to sufficient rice supply in the state in the near future.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Prof. Etim Ituen, represented by the Secretary of the association, Mr. Emmanuel Essienobom, thanked the governor for promoting farming as a business.
Ituen ,appealed for more support from government to enhance rice production and exportation to earn more income for the State.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Mr Effiong Ubaha, applauded Governor Eno for facilitating rice cultivation and the Commissioner for her inclusive disposition to support rice farmers.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director of Agriculture in charge of rice production, Mr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, expressed gratitude for the state’s continuous support to farmers in different value chains and added that the exercise was timely.
Ekpenyong, urged beneficiaries to plant the inputs promptly to align with the government’s vision for agriculture, as the Ministry will strictly monitor benefiting rice farmers to ensure better output.
The event featured the presentation of improved seeds to farmers within the rice belts of Ini, Ibiono, Itu, Uruan, Abak, Oruk Anam, Obot Akara and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas.
Information Unit
MOA/RD, AKS
