Farmers in Abia State have been urged to embrace the vision of Gov Alex Otti in boosting Agriculture as a means of being self sufficient in food production.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture,Dr Cliff Agbaeze said it is the desire of the government to trigger massive food production in areas that the state has comparative advantage.
Dr Agbaeze who spoke in Umuahia while interacting with newsmen observed that in addition to other cash and food crops, Abia has a comparative advantage in the cultivation and production of rice in large quantities.
According to him, the governor wants a situation whereby Abia farmers will pursue vigorously the cultivation of rice in commercial quantities.
He disclosed that government was ready to assist them in that regard by providing them with higher yielding seedlings and other necessary inputs to facilitate the rice production.
Said he,” Abia has large hectares of land that are suitable for rice production especially in the northern part of the state like Arochukwu,Bende and Ikwuano. We want the farmers to take advantage of that”.
The university don and financial expert noted that Abia has no business buying rice from other parts of the country when it has the capacity to feed the state.
” From research carried out, Abia has the capacity not only to feed itself but supply to neighbouring South East states. That is why the Alex Otti administration is currently encouraging farmers in that regard”, he submitted.
Dr Agbaeze who enumerated ways of increasing rice production and other food crops in the state, called on farmers to organize themselves in cooperative groups for easy access to government’s patronage.
He announced that the government was planning to turn the economy of the state around for the overall good of the citizenry and called for massive support for Gov Alex Otti to achieve his dream for the state.
