By Chukwuka Ugokwe :
The Anambra State Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, has called for more concerted efforts by stakeholders for the state to access enormous benefits in organic agricultural produce.
He made the call in his office during a courtesy visit by a group under the umbrella of She Grows Her Food Initiative.
The Commissioner noted that development of organic farming could comfortably address numerous challenges, enhance profitability and promote healthy living in line with the Governor’s Wife, Dr Nonye Soludo’s Healthy Living Initiative.
“The effort is in tandem with what Mr Governor and his Wife, Dr Nonye Soludo are happy to see happen in the state. She has commenced Healthy Living Farms in local government areas and educational institutions in the state.
“She is giving out some seeds and encouraging school authorities to establish organic farms. Likewise, youths from your group could be found everywhere in the state growing organic foods.”
He added that government would exploit the public private partnership window to expand opportunities in organic farming.
“Bring the youths and we interface with them and we can get private sector to partner government and sponsor Demonstration Farms across the state.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, harped on the need to encourage youths to venture into organic farming, utilising demonstration farms to train others.
“This kind of youths are really what we are actually looking at in the agricultural sector. It will be good for us to start from your own farm, your cluster.”
The State Coordinator of the Group, Mr Linus Ugoo, who introduced Stem brand of organic fertilizers sourced to kick start Demonstration Farms, noted that over 80 youths trained in various areas of agriculture in Songhai Firm were already awaiting to train others.
While calling for government assistance to encourage the youths, he said that the products could be used to grow hybrid variety of crops including Okro, Tomatoes, Pepper, and Cucumber.
*Chukwuka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State