From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Association of Micro-Credit Institutions of Nigeria, AMCIN, has stressed the need to adopt organic agricultural practice to enhance food security in Ebonyi State.
The South-East Chairman of the association, who doubles as the National President of AMCIN Women in Agriculture (SheGrowsHerFood), Princess Comfort Nweke made the disclosure in her office while interacting with newsmen in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Princess Nweke, who enumerated the benefits of organic agriculture, said the produce lasts longer with rich health benefits than chemical raised crops.
“We have Apex 10 which is organic manure. Tomatoes raised with Apex-10 will last more than two months before it decays, you can apply it on tomato, rice, maize or other crops and we advice every farmer to go into organic farming because the produce is healthier than chemical raised produce.
“USAID in partnership with AMCIN gave us the mandate to capture 25,000 farmers in Ebonyi State just like other selected states partnering them.
“Currently, we captured over 3,000 indigent farmers during our visit to Ogbala and sensitisation is ongoing, however, our data only targets real farmers, as the value chain given to Ebonyi is rice and maize.
“AMCIN is out to raise farmers who will have a lot for themselves and enough to import. We have toured all parts of the state and was marveled to see that Izzi has the highest rice farmers in Ebonyi State,” she said
She commended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s government for its support to agriculture, adding that empowering rural women would bring an end to food shortage and insecurity.
“I encourage the state government to continue to support genuine farmers and whatever they wish to invest in AMCIN, they should do it without doubt because we have their data; if we empower rural women in farming business, they have the strength to bring down the price of garri to N500 within one farming season.
“If government can partner fully with AMCIN and introduce small holder farmers like in the north. It is a programme designed to give N5,000 grant to rural farmers, especially widows and some youths.
“The only challenge to farmers in Ebonyi is finance. They will do well when monitored by AMCIN because we have given loans at different times with marvelous results in all the local government areas, especially the over 500 persons trained by Songhai who we gave money through their cooperatives. Recovering the loan was not difficult because they have coordinators who report to us from the well established procedures that strengthen the system,” Nweke stressed.
