• Friday, March 29, 2024
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World Bank CARES program distributes improved agric inputs to 2000 indigent, vulnerable farmers in Enugu

Greatest message we must give to youths is message of hope – Ugwuanyi

Two thousand poor and vulnerable farmers in Enugu State have received improved inputs for dr y season farming under the World Bank- assisted CARES programme. The state government which works in collaboration with the global development financial institution, undertook the distribution of the improved agricultural inputs to the farmers in the rural areas.

The improved agricultural inputs ranged from cassava stems, rice seeds, fertilizer and herbicides.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, while addressing the beneficiaries during the flagoff of the program, said that the intervention was aimed at improving the state’s agricultural productivity, create employment, and also act as a catalyst to stimulation of the rural economy.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Cecilia Ezeilo, disclosed that the event was informed by key pillar of the CARES programme which recommends support to farmers with quality farm inputs such as high yielding seed varieties, in order to ensure sustainability of food production as well as improved livelihoods of farming families.

“The improved agricultural inputs for distribution in this event were acquired by the state government, in line with recommendation of the State CARES committee. The agricultural inputs int e r vention targets the agric value- chains in which the state has comparative advantage, namely ri c e and cassava farming,” the governor said.

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He disclosed that the exercise will be replicated in the other two senatorial districts of the state; and that the initiative was mainly to reach the poor and vulnerable farmers “for economic empowerment, poverty alleviation, reduction of conflict- inducing social inequalities, boosting agricultural productivity and stimulating the rural economy of the state.”

While commending the State CARES committee headed by the Commissioner for Finance, Adaonah Kene- Uyanwune, for living up to expectations, the governor also announced that the state government is making farming an allseason activity, in order to f u r ther broaden and stabilize the role of farming as a source of sustainable employment , l i velihood and constant supply of raw materials for our local industries and for export.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Matthew Idu, pointed out that the exercise was to increase food production in the state; and one of the measures to address the adverse effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Idu urged the agriculture supervisors to ensure maximum utilization of the inputs, and that they should not sell the products.