2020 World Food Day:AKSG Shares Bags Of Rice, Garri, Bunches Of Plantains

Agriculture

2020 World Food Day:AKSG Shares Bags Of Rice, Garri, Bunches Of Plantains

This year's World Food Day was marked by the Ministry of Agriculture with the donation of quarter bags of rice; garri and bunches of plantain to some groups in the state.

At the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters' field, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo, where the event took place, Esop Mbong Iban, wives of the paramount rulers, wives of clan heads, wives of commissioners and special advisers, some wives of local government chairmen, as well as chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, were each provided with bunches of unripe plantains by the commissioner for agriculture, Dr Glory Edet. Edet also ensured that the leadership and membership of other selected groups in attendance were, each, given a quarter bag of rice, garri and unspecified amount of money to facilitate their transportation back to their respective homes in the state.

The commissioner explained that the donation of plantains to the first groups of the beneficiaries was for them to eat and live long, considering their health status. Edet explained that this year's event with the theme "Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together, was apt and in line with Governor Udom Emmanuel's policies and programmes aimed at increased food production and sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.

She emphasized the need for the people of the state to participate in farming, irrespective of their social status, for food sufficiency to be achieved in the state. Describing food production as a collective responsibility of all, Edet appealed to the people of the state to close ranks with the state government in the production of food, considering the fertile soil and the good weather conditions of the state for agricultural activities.

She commended Governor Emmanuel for the huge investments in the agricultural sector towards the attainment of food security in the state. Edet noted with appreciation Governor Emmanuel's unflinching commitment in providing palliatives to farmers such as improved seedlings, fertilizer, agrochemicals, Extension Services as well as interest-free loans to different farmers even during the lockdown period occasioned by Covid19 pandemic.

The commissioner noted with delight that the infrastructural renaissance and the industrialization focus of the Emmanuel-led administration has culminated in the cultivation of massive coconut plantations across the state, establishment of St Gabriel Coconut Oil Factory, cultivation of vegetable greenhouse, the distribution of improved oil palm and cocoa seedlings to farmers in the state, the cultivation of 300 hectares of cassava farms under the FADAMA 111 financing programme, distribution of cassava cuttings, establishment of cocoa fermentation centre, and the resuscitation of the Central Abattoir, among others.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry, Dr John Madison, while welcoming invited guests, explained that the World Food Day, marked annually across the world, was aimed at creating awareness on the significance of food and nutrition to the survival of all and sundry. Markson remarked that the yearly celebration offered an opportunity for his ministry to create awareness on the need for the people of the state to embrace farming through the cultivation of all kinds of crops towards food sufficiency in the state.

Goodwill messages were presented by the state chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Prince Bassey Inwang; the chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Mr Asuquo Nanah; Commissioners and Special Advisers Wives Association; Wives of Paramount Rulers, among others.