By Ifeizu Joe
Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has said that his administration is aiming at making farmers in the state, employers of Labour.
Soludo said this will be achieved through purposeful support to farmers in the state, both through loans and presentation of modern farm equipment that would aid their work and increase their yield.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Onyeka Ibezim stated this at the weekend, during the flag-off of 2023 farming season in Awka, the state capital.
Addressing farmers in the state, after the presentation of agricultural enhancement equipment estimated at N21million, which were made possible by Adani-Omor Zonal Staple Crops Processing Implementation Unit of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-One (ATASP-1), the deputy governor called on them to make good use of the equipment.
“I have confidence that the equipment presented to you today will turn the beneficiaries to employers of labour and major contributors to food supply in the state and the country at large.
“The multiplier effect of this empowerment is what the government of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has been talking about. We advise you to make good use of the equipment.”
Beneficiaries of the equipment are five farmers’ cooperative groups drawn from various communities in the state.
The equipment included Mobile Thresher, Rubber-Mill, Rice Destoner, Dryer machines, Handheld Planter, Cassava Grater, Knap Sack Sprayer and Hammer Mill.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Forster Ihejiofor explained that the equipment were provided with loans from African Development Bank (AfDB) which could be paid back by federal and state governments over time.
ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zonal Program Coordinator, Mr Romanus Egba disclosed that the 13 beneficiary farmer groups were selected based on needs assessments.
