Obiano Launches 2015 Farming Season

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Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has launched the 2015 Farming Season in Otucha, Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA).

Obiano on launching the season said, with his determined approach to agriculture, he is confident that he is capable of achieving his vision of Anambra state being among the top three states in agricultural production in Nigeria.

He said that he hopes the state becomes number one in the production of rice, cassava and fish in the first four years of his administration and steps up agricultural output to contribute at least 40 per cent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Before the launch, the governor first inspected the agricultural efforts of each of the 21 LGAs and other partners as they displayed their produce.

The local government Chairman, Mr. Hilary Udeano, also welcomed Governor Obiano to their area and commended his effort in the agricultural sector, pledging loyalty together with his people to consistently support the move as it would not only put food on their tables, but increase their agricultural earnings.

The Southeast Regional Director of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Uche Nwafor, noted that the Farming Season launch was a good programme that would afford farmers the opportunity to be sensitized on the policy direction of government in agriculture and for them to know what is expected of them.

Dr Nwafor added that the launch would enable farmers to have access to the Growth Enhancement Support Programme of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development which is in partnership with the state government.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Afam Mbanefo, highlighted some of the giant strides of the present administration in agriculture, as well as commended Governor Obiano’s support to small scale farmers in providing farm inputs that would provide for higher yields.

In his pronouncements, Governor Obiano maintained that agriculture remains a cornerstone of his administration aside the three other pillars: trade and commerce, industrialization, oil and gas.