World Food Day is celebrated annually on the 16th of October to sensitize and mobilize member-states of the United Nations against threats of hunger and poverty in line with the Millennium Development Goals MDG’s.This year’s celebration, which took place at the old stadium Awka, had farmers from all the twenty-one local government areas in
attendance.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “social protection and agriculture: Breaking the cycle of Rural poverty.
In Anambra State the event afforded farmers an opportunity to showcase the type of farm produce they are known for.
Speaking at the event, Governor Obiano re-iterated that Agriculture as his number one pillar has received and will continue to receive undivided attention, calling on farmers to embrace agriculture as the fastest means of grooming the state’s economy.
He announced that Anambra state had generated one hundred and ninety thousand metric tons of rice under one and half years as against eighty thousand metric tons generated previously and will by the end of next year complete the three hundred and twenty metric tons required to feed the state.
Governor Obiano announced that he would by next season inaugurate the proposed football-field-like fish pond that will commence in all the council areas which will be managed by fifty youths each.
He disclosed that the first batch of the two hundred and fifty youths trained in agriculture have graduated while the second batch are still undergoing training and will be given seed money each to start off.
Earlier in an address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Afam Mbanefo said that activities marking the year’s event include training of farmers in the various agricultural value chains, distribution of seeds for dry season farming, among others.
Mr. Mbanefo commended Governor Obiano for the bold steps already taken to transform agriculture in the state which include development of a blue print on mechanized agriculture, provision of improved seeds, fertilizers and tractor services that have boosted productivity among the small-holder farmers.
The State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAM and former Commissioner for Agriculture Chief Nnamdi Meko, noted that the face of agriculture has been reformed since the past one year which in turn has increased productivity and created jobs.
High points on the occasion were tour of the various farmers stands and distribution of improved cassava stems to the farmers by the Governor.
Culled from Anambra State Online
