By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :
Anambra State Governor Prof. Charles Soludo has urged the state dwellers to take up farming, which he describes as ‘farm to feed,’ to ensure food security in the state.
He said this will also lead to the reduction in the prices of agricultural products and make food more available to the people.
This was contained in his opening speech at the celebration of the 2024 Anambra state New Yam Festival held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
He emphasized that the ‘farm to feed’ initiative was launched particularly for the youths in the state in response to the Nigeria hunger protest, aiming to redirect their energy towards farming rather than participating in the protests.
Gov. Soludo said that his wife is actively involved in farming at the Governor’s Lodge where she distributes seedlings to encourage more people to cultivate food.
“If you have one square meter space where you live, utilize it for farming because if everyone plants what they eat once a year, you will notice that there will be a reduction in prices of food items and if anyone complains of hunger, inquire about their cultivation, for we are known to be hardworking people.
“Therefore, I challenge my Exco members to have farmlands for crop cultivation, as former President Obasanjo advised us. In the next edition, I will take part in the yam competition,” he said.
The governor emphasized that the new yam celebration is a significant festival in Igbo land which signifies the importance of the yam over other crops.
He highlighted several key projects underway in the state, including the dualization of some roads, the construction of a new Governor’s Lodge, and the renovation of Alex Ekwueme Square, among others.
He said that upon completion, the Solution Fun City would be the largest in Africa and a prominent tourism destination in the state.
On his part, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji said that the New Yam Festival is a traditional ceremony celebrated by the Igbo people worldwide to promote their rich cultural heritage.
“Whenever an Igbo person, especially from Anambra celebrates the New Yam Festival, it is an opportunity to connect with the home, their ancestors, and their roots. Only by honouring traditions like this can the world recognize the existence of a place called Igbo land.”
Mr. Onyenji emphasized that the governor values culture and traditions by establishing the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, “three elements interconnected to reflect the identity of the people”.
At the government cash prize give away, the sum of 3 million naira was awarded to Mr. Chigozie Anene from Akweze, Anaocha LGA for growing the largest yam this year, which weighed 80kg and shot him to the first position.
He also won a brand new tricycle donated by the High Chief Christopher Ndubuisi.
Other winners with the cash award of one million naira each were, Igwilo Paschal from Isuofia, Aguata LGA came second with a 71.5 kg yam, Emeka Stephen from Nimo, Njikoka LGA was third with 44 kg yam while Pius Okeke from Ukpor, Dunukofia LGA, secured the fourth position with 30 kg of yam and Nnazor Fidelis from Nzam, Anambra West LGA came fifth with 22.5 kg of yam.
The event included the ceremonial cutting of the new yam by traditional rulers, local government parades, masquerade performances and cultural dance displays.