Chinedum Treasure
Anambra State Government has commenced free distribution of over one million combination of Oil palm, Paw paw, Kola nut, Bitter Kola and Breadfruit seedlings to farmers and other potential beneficiaries across the state.
The distribution is being handled by the State Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Office of the Special Adviser on Political Matters, through designated Committees set up to supervise the exercise at five Distribution Centres,Ward and Village level.
The annual programme forms part of the state government’s agricultural agenda with the aim of diversifying incomes of beneficiaries to ensure economic growth through cash crops farming.
Some of the stakeholders and beneficiaries who spoke at the Awka Zone Distribution Centre, Ministry of Agriculture Premises, commended the state government under the watch of Gov Soludo for sustaining the initiative.
Member of the Local Government Committee, Bar Chukwuma Lawrence, pledged effective distribution of the seedlings to the beneficiaries.
Chukwuma who doubles as Awka South Local Government Chairman of APGA, described the initiative as an empowerment scheme, saying that it was a demonstration of Governor Soludo’s passion for the care of the people of the state.
Speaking separately, President General, Okpuno Progressive Union, Engr Luke Obi Egwuatu, and his Awka Development Union counterpart, Kanayo Nwogbo, represented by Hon Sunday Nweke, thanked state government for using the project to fight hunger.
Other respondents including Mrs Josephine Obiegbuna, Committee Member and Head of Agric Department, Awka South LGA, reasoned that the intervention was expected to drive the sustainable economic resilience of the targeted most vulnerable individuals especially this period of food crisis.
They described the distribution exercise as peaceful and well coordinated, expressing optimism that the state would be the hub of palm oil production in the next few years.
The Director of Technical Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Godwin Akujieze, who outlined the planting techniques, advised the beneficiaries to follow good agronomic practices and adhere to directives of the Agric Extension Workers to ensure good yield.
“They should go immediately to the field and plant the seedlings because we are still in June,the peak of the rain.
“They ar going to follow the good agronomic practices like weeding the farm and applying organic manure to help the seedlings grow well in line with government’s Regenerative Agricultural policy,” Akujieze said.
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