From CHARLES ONYEKWERE
Enugu State government has earmarked N2 billion for massive farm estates across the 260 political wards.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr Patrick Ubru disclosed this yesterday in Enugu.
Ubru noted that Governor Peter Mbah would take the bold initiative this year to ensure that each political ward is able to feed itself and ensure food sufficiency in the state.
According to him, the people in the ward and its locality will be taught best agronomy practices and introduced to high yield seedlings and stems, as well as land and space management, leading to increased agricultural yield and profitability.
“One Political Ward, One Farm Estate Initiative will be a game-changer for our people, as our agriculture-loving governor is putting everything to ensure that our people get the initiative’s maximum benefits.
“It would be done in hectares of land; where all types of farming activities would be practiced such as crop farming, animal husbandry, poultry, horticulture/exotic plant farming and fish farming among others,” he said.
The commissioner said the state government would actively collaborate with local government councils to ensure that the initiative works out efficiently.
He said government would also engage people, especially youths in each locality to take ownership and participate in the initiative that holds lots of benefits for them.
“The One Political Ward, One Farm Estate Initiative would solve so many issues.
“The issue of food insecurity will be solved, incessant crises between farmers and herders will be solved because the farm estates will be fenced.
“This is a vision and initiative by Governor Mbah to ensure that the crises between herders and farmers are nipped in the bud.
“When there is massive productivity and production in the farming estates; massive employment, especially for youths, would be created. All Mbah’s promises during his campaign are being kept,” the commissioner added.
Ubru noted that the state government would collaborate with the 17 local government chairmen to put in place, 24 hours security and monitoring within the farm estates.
