By Edidiong Obot
UYO
As part the Akwa Ibom government’s readiness to attain food sufficiency in the state, the government has again distributed agricultural inputs to rice farmers in the state.
Performing the inputs distribution at the open field of Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat Complex, Uyo, recently, the commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, emphasised government’s commitment to support rice farmers with improved seeds in order to boost rice production and ensure food sufficiency.
Offor maintained that the decision to empower farmers with improved variety of rice seedlings in a time when inflation is on the increase is not a mean feat, hence, she urged that the inputs must be put to good use by beneficiaries.
“We are giving out over 20 tons of improved rice seeds to farmers in Akwa Ibom State this planting season, therefore we expect a bumper harvest of rice this year,” she assured.
The commissioner informed that government’s emphasis was on support to groups this year, which was why the Ministry took time to verify benefiting groups for the empowerment in order to combat inflation, increase rice production and stabilise the price of the commodity in the State.
She lauded the governor for his agriculture-friendly policies, noting that the government, in the next phase, will support rice farmers with agro chemicals to boost rice production.
Offor assured that extension officers have been attached to all the benefiting groups, to offer them the required technical support and report performance to the Ministry for necessary action.
She encouraged beneficiaries to adopt good agronomic practices for bountiful yield and cautioned that any group that does not put the input to good use will not benefit from government support in the future.
Speaking earlier, the permanent secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Mary Ukoette Bassey, explained that the thorough verification process conducted by the Ministry before the distribution was to identify genuine rice farmers from impersonators.
Bassey expressed hope that the distribution will enhance bountiful harvest that would lead to sufficient rice supply in the state in the near future.
Also speaking, the chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Professor Etim Ituen, represented by the association’s secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Essienobom, thanked the governor for promoting farming as a business, while appealing for more support from government to enhance rice production and exportation to earn more income for the State.
In his goodwill message, the vice chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Mr Effiong Ubaha, applauded Governor Eno for facilitating rice cultivation and theagric commissioner for her inclusive disposition to support rice farmers.
Also speaking, the assistant director of Agriculture in charge of rice production, Mr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, expressed gratitude for the state’s continuous support to farmers in different value chains, noting that the exercise was timely.
Ekpenyong urged beneficiaries to plant the inputs promptly to align with the government’s vision for agriculture, as the Ministry would strictly monitor benefiting rice farmers to ensure better output.
The event featured presentation of improved rice seedlings to farmers within the rice belts of Ini, Ibiono, Itu, Uruan, Abak, Oruk Anam, Obot Akara and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas.
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