By Edidiong Obot
UYO
The commissioner for agriculture and rural development has described the Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, as a leader who has transformed the lives of farmers by encouraging a return to agriculture.
Dr. Offiong Offor stated this while celebrating the governor’s 61st birthday with vegetable farmers at the Technology Incubation Center, Nung Oku.
“We are celebrating a governor who is passionate about farming, one who urges everyone to return to the farm. He is compassionate and agriculture-friendly, and we are proud of his efforts,” she said.
Offor commended the resilience of women farmers who continue to work hard, rain or shine, to ensure food security in the state.
“Food determines how our bodies function. We celebrate farmers across various value chains because, without them, we will have the energy to carry out our activities,” she added.
The commissioner assured the farmers of continuous support, aimed at helping them derive more value from their produce.
“We will engage you in clusters. Akwa Ibom is rich in vegetable production, and we want to help you do more. We are committed to supporting women in processing, creativity, training, and other interventions, which will be carried out in batches,” she stated.
Also speaking at the event, the permanent secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Patricia Okoko, explained that the Ministry chose to celebrate the governor’s birthday by distributing agricultural inputs to vegetable farmers to boost food production.
“We are distributing manure, vegetable seeds, waterleaves cuttings, and fertiliser. Please sell your produce at affordable prices so everyone can benefit. Do not make life harder for others,” she advised.
In her remarks during the flag-off of the Vegetable Farmers Support Programme, the Center manager of the Technology Incubation Center, Uyo, Mrs. Iniobong Joe Elshaddai, highlighted the Center’s mission to include nurturing and accelerating indigenous technologies and enterprises, especially those aligned with the state’s economic priorities, including agriculture.
“In alignment with the national industrialisation goals and Akwa Ibom State’s ARISE Agenda, we recognise your role in promoting the governor’s vision of a farmer-friendly and entrepreneurial-driven leadership,” she said.
Elshaddai appealed to the Ministry for support and partnership in key areas such as: Provision of grants or subventions for farmers and MSMEs, Supply of generators and water infrastructure (piping, taps, boreholes), Industrial food dehydrators and waste-to-organic manure processing equipment, Incorporation of TIC Uyo as a training and incubation partner to the Ministry as well as Establishment of Incubation Extension Units across local government areas to foster rural agricultural innovation
She assured the Ministry of the Center’s readiness to collaborate in realising a prosperous Akwa Ibom where agriculture drives wealth creation, exports, and sustainable livelihoods.
In goodwill messages, the CEO of Agric Processor, Ms. Alicia Etukudo, and the CEO of Tech Dynamic Limited, Mr. Nelson Usoro, applauded the governor for his support to farmers.
“When we export raw materials, we earn less. But when we process them into finished products, we earn more. We are proud that our products now reach the United States. With more training and support, rural women will be further empowered,” they said.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government for making farming more rewarding and appealing and thanked the governor and the commissioner and appealed for continued support.
The event was attended by directors of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, management staff of the Technology Incubation Center, and various stakeholders. Highlights of the event included song renditions, prayers for the governor, distribution of farm inputs, and an exhibition by farmers.
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