By Blessing Enagu
No fewer than 243 Small holder Farmers in Cross River State have benefitted from the training and empowerment programme organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Cross River State Government.
The intervention under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) is aimed at reducing poverty and promoting economic growth in Nigeria. Cross River State beneficiaries comprised farmers across the state in crop value chains as well as poultry and fisheries production.
Flagging off the exercise at the premises of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Calabar, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo lauded the Federal Government’s initiative of fostering agricultural productivity.
He affirmed the resolve of the government at all levels to make agriculture the mainstay of the economy and reiterated Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s commitment to ensuring that farming becomes a lucrative venture in the state.
The Commissioner charged the Beneficiaries on judicious use of resources given while suing for their patience with the government as various programmes have been outlined to address challenges of farmers and increase their productivity in the state.
The State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. (Mrs.) Inah-Ibor Offiong, delivering an address on behalf of The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Temitope Peter Fadeshemi, emphasized the Federal Government's commitment to combating poverty in Nigeria through agriculture, recognizing its crucial role in economic growth and development.
The Permanent Secretary said "This program is not just about investing in agriculture; it's an investment in our nation's future."
Highlighting the importance of equipping farmers with tools for productivity, resilience, and sustainability, laying the groundwork for a stronger agricultural sector,
Mr. Fadeshemi urged beneficiaries to absorb the knowledge gained and apply it effectively.
On his part, the Programme Manager, Cross River Agricultural Development Programme, Mr. Etim Bassey noted that the empowerment will impact greatly on the Local Farmers in the State while also disclosing that cash transfer will be made to the various Beneficiaries soon.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Government for the support and promised to apply knowledge gained during the training and resources received.
The verified beneficiaries were trained on the management and use of farm inputs for maximum productivity.
175 crop farmers were given knapsack sprayers, bottles of glyphosate (weed killers), bag of maize and rice seeds, and improved varieties of tomatoes and okra seeds.
Each of the 40 poultry farmers would be given a bag of feed and 25-day-old chicks, while 28 Fish farmers were given 2 bags of feed each to support their existing farms.
