By Chukwuka Ugokwe :
Anambra State Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor has set up a five-man committee to oversee and coordinate distribution of agricultural inputs for no fewer than 1000 Small Holder Farmers across the state.
The formation of the five man committee headed by the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Arthur Mbuba was the outcome of a meeting with stakeholders in the agricultural sector held at Mr Commissioner’s office.
Other members of the committee include; Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Secretary, Mr Jude Nwankwo, Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Mr Ekene Adokwe, HOD, Planning Research and Statistics and Mrs Margaret Nwoye, HOD, Inputs.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had through the Director, Agricultural Extension Services, Dr Deola-Tayo Lordbanjou, requested the state to nominate and Furnish it with names of 1000 Small Holder Farmers for agricultural input support.
We gathered that the intervention measure was introduced to address the rising food prices, poverty alleviation and enhancement of National Food and Nutrition Security.
At the meeting, the Commissioner urged the committee to ensure even distribution of the inputs among identified commodity associations and groups representing Farmers ecosystem across the 21 local government areas.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, mentioned about 20 commodity associations including, All Farmers Association (AlFAN), Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN),Young Entrepreneurs, Cassava Farmers, Poultry Farmers, Cat Fish Farmers amongst others.
Mr Arthur Mbuba, Chairman of the Committee, noted that a major step has been taken by the government to guarantee food security, pledging to work with other members as a team towards achieving positive result.
The meeting was attended by Mr Chukwuma Abana, SSA, SEE, Ogechukwu Okonkwo, United Business Women Association, Akunyiba Georgina, Small Scale Women Farmers, Sir Leo Ukatu, AlFAN State Chairman, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, SIDEC/CSO, Obinyelu Justice,Young Entrepreneurs, Chisom Onugha, AlFAN Youth Leader as well as