AKWA IBOM COMMUNITY COMMENCES WET RICE SEASON |RICE IN AKWA IBOM
…IBIONO LG BOSS, FARMERS EULOGISE UDOM
The Akwa Ibom state Government has continued to show its relentless efforts towards agro-business development in other to achieve food sufficiency, and food security in the state .
Recall that Governor Udom Emmanuel had assured that farmers will have his full support to engage in mega farming and diversify the state’s economy from sole dependence on crude oil revenue.
This much was boosted, this Thursday when rice farmers at Ikot Essien in Ibiono Ibom local government, flagged off the 2020 wet planting seasoning.
The chairman of Ibiono Ibom, Ekomabasi Sunday Akpan, accompanied by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation Essien Ndueso, alongside the director of Agriculture, Ibiono Ibom local government area, Ime Inyang Akpan performed the exercise with a promise to continue supporting the efforts of the Governor in boosting the availability of food in the state.
The council boss, guided by Mr Emmanuel Micheal Usua, a rice farmer took turns to practice the three methods of rice planting namely transplanting, dibbling and broadcasting methods.
Speaking with newsmen the Ibiono Ibom boss, thanked the governor for challenging them to revive farming in other to stop importation of rice from outside the state adding that in Ibiono Ibom, there is enough land for rice cultivation.
“We are ready to support farmers, No Farmers, No Nation, I will make sure I double the support I give to them.
We supported the farmers last year and they came out with something better, we will do more”
Mr Inyang Akpan explained that he loves the zeal of rice farmers and will continue to support and motivate them by organising seminars and workshops were the farmers will be more enlightened on improved crops, farm imputs and equipments that will ease farming.
Mr Usua, a rice farmer, thanked Governor, Udom Emmanuel for his relentless efforts towards agricultural sustainability.
Mr who through the Ministry of Agriculture reached out to rice farmers and gave them farm inputs.
” I thank God for our Government, before now , farmers looked for help but nobody cared. If you look at my right , you’ll see my local government chairman, he called the attention of the Governor and today we have rice farms in Ikot Essien, Use Ikot Amama and Ikot Esidem.”
Mr Emmanuel Usua, further appealed to the Government to give them harvesters, tillers, planters and also drones to scare birds and enhance the farming process.
Some other rice farmers at the farm took turns to eulogise the Governor for coming to their aid in terms of financial support and prayed for more to be done.
