Anambra Commissioner Underscores Importance of Agriculture Dependent Economy

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :
Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Foster Ihejiofor, has made a strong case for utilisation of existing opportunities in the sector for wealth creation rather than over dependence on oil to drive the economy.
The Commissioner who made this known while being bestowed with an award of recognition by the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Anambra State Chapter, called on youths to key into various modules of agricultural activities for abundant food production.
“Agriculture is the way to go. We need to be food independent as oil is now a wasting economy. We are going to partner Ohaneze Youths for wealth creation and job opportunities in the sector.
“In Anambra, we are focused on creating oil palm and coconut economy.
He encouraged the youth body to assist in mainstreaming state government policy of regenerative agriculture which involved compost dependent system for health and ecological reasons.
“We need to be more scientific in agriculture, doing it the natural way and that is why we are mainstreaming regenerative agriculture as the policy of the state government. I am challenging the youths to take charge of this and share with our farmers”
“The system involves not injecting pesticides, inorganic fertilizer and agro chemicals that kill microbes in the soil’
Dr Ihejiofor, further revealed that the state government would set up integrated composting centres to be comprised of three units of Black soldier fly larva, Mushroom, Compost and Compost derivatives production units.
“The Centres will be used to feed humans, animals and power crop production. These are areas of agricultural activities that youths can do and make cool millions of dollars”
Earlier, State Youth Leader of the Group, Comrade Onyedika Eweh, said they considered it worthy to honour the Commissioner for the bold steps taken to revolutionise agriculture in the state.
He, then, solicited for government partnership in the areas of rice production and fishery through their Cooperative Society to strengthen its green revolution agenda.