A’Ibom  Explains Reason for Prioritising Investment in Agriculture

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Government has disclosed that its investment in the agriculture sector of the economy is meant to guarantee a prosperous and healthy future for the people of the state.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists in Uyo, the state capital.

Offor explained that the state government’s policy on agriculture was not only meant to increase food production,  create and expand employment opportunities, especially for young people, but also meant to deliberately divest the state economy from overreliance on oil.

She also said the local government plantation project could go beyond 10,000 hectares in the next four years with commitment from stakeholders, especially young farmers.

The commissioner insisted that the mentality and orientation of the people towards agriculture also needed to change if any meaningful progress could be made in the drive to revolutionise agriculture and make it attractive to the people, especially the youths.

According to her, “This is important, because for instance, in the West, the 3 percent of the people engaged in farming see themselves as top shots, but in Africa and in this part of the world we are not proud of what we do as farmers. So we need to change that narrative.

“Times are evolving, and we need to move away gradually from reliance on crude oil. Now we have electric cars that do not use petrol, but you can never have electric food. Food is food, especially in Africa; the way God made it and it will always be so.

“We need to understand that the primary duty of a man is agriculture, and that is what God primarily gave man as a blessing, and what you eat determines how you live. If you eat well, you go less to the hospital. So we need to sustain that in the minds of the people.”

“The commissioner added: “Farming is not derogatory but something everyone who has farms should be proud of. Grow something at whatever level it is. Be involved in the value chain.”

Offor said the state Governor, Umo Eno’s trip to the famed Songhai Farms in Benin Republic was an eye opener and would assist the state government in adapting to its own model in its agricultural revolution drive.

She explained that cassava, which is the major crop to be used for the plantation project, would not pose much storage and preservation challenges as those produced would be consumed and sold easily.

On the projections for the future of the local government plantation programme, she said: “We are going to have more people willing to offer more land. For instance, we set up a plantation in a location in this state and another community came up and said we are giving you 200 hectares because they have seen that other people are benefiting and making more income from the farm.

“So the people buy into it. It will not just be limited to 100 hectares per local government, some local government areas are willing to double the 100 hectares, and you can imagine what it will be in the future.”

Offor further explained that large-scale mechanised farming in the state is being hampered by land fragmentation and ownership issues while the cost of land preparation remained high due to the topography and climatic conditions of the state location.

On fears over land grabbing challenges, the commissioner explained that land for the project would be donated by individuals and communities voluntarily while they could also withdraw their land from the project if they wish.

On food sufficiency, she explained that the drive is a work in progress, and could be possible with active participation and commitment from stakeholders, especially the youths.