By Chris Ugwuja, Nsukka
Farmers in Enugu State, under the aegis of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), have commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his administration’s giant strides in the agricultural sector, especially in ensuring food security in the state in spite of the daunting challenges posed by the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
The farmers expressed delight at the support and achievements of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration in the sector, such as “the provision of seed inputs, infrastructure and mechanization for over 11,000 farmers under the FADAMA III Additional Finance” and “the provision of basic inputs, empowerment to over 700 commercial farmers and cooperatives all over the State, through the Commercial Agricultural Development Programme (CADP),” stressing that they are unparalleled and worthy of commendation.
Other interventions, according to the farmers, include “the complete profiling and listing of 1700 farmers and farmers’ cooperatives under the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelyhood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS), soon to commence Pre-disbursement training”, and “the provision of intervention fund in support of Agricultural Development in Rice and Cassava production in 5 Local Government Areas in Enugu State, namely: Aninri, Nkanu East, Isi-Uzo, Enugu East and Udenu, under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)”.
Speaking when they paid a courtesy visit to State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Matthew Idu, to felicitate with Gov. Ugwuanyi on the New Year, the Chairman of AFAN, Enugu State Chapter, Chief Romanus A. Ezeh, also applauded the state government for “the provision of critical infrastructure and development of Agricultural productivity in rice, cassava and sorghum in counterpart with the African Development Bank through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme I (ATAPS1)” and “the provision of farm inputs, fertilizers, improved seeds and Agro chemicals to over 2000 Rice and Cassava farmers under the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES)”.
AFAN Chairman said that the farmers were “indeed very proud to be associated with the giant strides”, and urged all their members to gear up for the coming farming season as they are assured of even greater support from the state government.
“While we continue to express gratitude to His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and indeed the State Government for all the support to the farmers in the State, we urge all our members to gear up for the coming farming season as we are assured of even greater support from the state government”, he said.
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