By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has procured 13,000 bags of fertilizer for the farmers to increase their productivity.
Governor also procured 15 brand new tractors for for farmers in the state to solve the problem of land preparations for farming to ensure food sufficiency.
Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku disclosed this to members of Correspondents’Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who paid her courtesy visit.
She stated that they would be flagging off 15 tractors , while after the flag off next week, they will be given it to farmers to help them prepare their lands
Iyioku opined that 98% of people of the state are farmers and that the government was making sure that the state compete favorably with some states of the federation in Agriculture especially the Northern states.
“Fertilizer this time around is very expensive but I have to thank His Excellency the Governor.
” The Governor doesn’t joke with anything about Agriculture. He still approved the same 13,000 bags we distributed to farmers last year.
” Most of the farmers are complaining about land preparation, that preparing land is mainly their major problem they are having.
“I said okay, before the wet season which is the season we are now, we will be able to buy the equipment that they will be using to prepare most of their lands.
” To the glory of God, we will be flagging of our 15 tractors that the Governor procured for the farmers. After the flag off, we will give it to them so that it will help them to prepare their lands”, she stated.
Iyioku, a former local government Chairman said the state poultry farm which was dead for many and has been revived, will 90% completion.
“By 1st week of June, we will be putting livestock in the poultry farm and we cannot be buying feed outside. So, His Excellency has also approved the construction of Ebonyi feed mill. It’s going to be massive. We will be feeding our livestock and also be empowering our people and most importantly, make IGR for the state and employ our people”, she said.
