FIC Report (Abia State) – The Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has enjoined stakeholders in the agricultural sector to support efforts in the fight against hunger and food insecurity.
Dr. Otti who gave the charge at the International Conference Center, Umuahia, during this year’s World Food Day Celebration, said the event reminds citizens of the importance of food to humanity and the need to go back to farm to ensure food sustainability and availability.
Governor Otti who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu reassured that the State Government is willing to partner the people, especially Farmers who have good initiative to enhance Agricultural sector in the state.
The governor said that renewed engagement is to enhance food security and support the development of the agricultural sector in the state.
In his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Clifford Agbeze, said that the day serves as a call to action for policy makers and stake holders in the agricultural sector to collaborate, in order to achieve the objective of the founding fathers of Agriculture and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Dr. Agbeze said that the present administration has implemented various intervention programs to ameliorate the huge burdens on farmers, adding that the Governor Otti has approved fund disbursement to 298 CSC Trainees, who underwent training on Agricultural value chain techniques at CSC, Nasarawa State.
In their Goodwill messages, the Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Proffesor Maduebibisi Iwe, represented by DVC, Administration, Professor Franca Asawalam, Dean, College of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology and Extension, MOUAU Prof Nnanna Mba and Director, Small Holders Oil Palm, Mr. Maraizu Chiemela said that investing in agriculture enhances food production, promotes food security, and ensures insecticide and pest control management.
Highlights of the event were the exhibition of farm plants and farm produce by Farmers, Presentation of prize award to best farm produce exhibited, distribution of farm inputs to farmers, cultural dance by the Ministry of Agricultural Women Association, while the event attracted the presence of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Adanma Aguwa and the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Aloysius Mba, among other stakeholders in the Agricultural sector.
Abiakam Gloria Ifeyinwa.
HOC, FIC, Abia State.
