The agricultural reform of Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, is likely to take the state to the top three in the country, as the government has attracted about $745 million (about N149 billion) investment to the state through its proposed mechanised agriculture scheme.
This even as it is anticipates that more investment is expected into the sector to make thesState self-sufficient and develop a large market for abundant harvest. Throwing more light on the state government’s new drive towards becoming food basket in Nigeria, during the flagoff ceremony to mark the 2015 Farming Season at Otuocha recently, Obiano listed the sources of investment inflow to Anambra State to include Coched Farms Ltd, a subsidiary of Coscharis with an investment portfolio of $150 million (about N30 billion) and Joseph Agro Ltd with $200 million (about N40 billion) that has firmly secured a spot as a prominent producer of rice.
“At the same time, the huge investments of $220 million (N44 billion) made by Ekcel Farms in Umueje have given us a solid foothold in cassava and tomato paste production. There are also other huge investors like Delfarm which pumped in the sum of $75 million ( N15 billion), Grains and Silos Ltd with $40 million (N8 billion) and of course Lynden Farms Ltd which wants to set up an ultra-modern poultry farm with the sum of $60 million ( N12 billion) respectively,” he said.
Giving hope on the new development in the sector, the governor said agriculture remains the corner stone of his administration and capable of achieving the vision to put Anambra among the top-three states in the sector.
He said the state also intends to become the number one in the production of rice, cassava and fish in the first four years of his administration and make the state’s agricultural output contribute at least 40 per cent of the GDP of Anambra State. Obiano further hinted that there would be prompt evaluation and commencement of implementation of the report of the Special Committee on Agriculture, headed by Prof. Omaliko.
He said it “tells with scientific certainty, where certain crops can grow best in Anambra State and offers us creative and empirical insight into what we must do to play to the fullness of our strength in agriculture.” After the successes of 2014, he sounded optimistic in exploring new avenues to stoke the fires of this agro-revolution this year, through the formation of Small Holder Farmer Intervention Initiative.
He stressed: “This revolutionary scheme enables the formation of smallholder farmers groups and the rural women to partner with the state government in a structure that makes it easier for them to access new agricultural techniques, tools, seedlings, fertilisers and market opportunities that would help stabilise their activities and contribute more meaningfully to the revolution,” he said.
Earlier, the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, said the 2015 Farming Season which has the theme -“Pushing the Frontiers of Agriculture in Anambra State,” provides the opportunity for the governor to interact with farmers and stakeholders in agriculture. He also stated that the event is designed to highlight Obiano’s double barreled approach to transforming agriculture into a viable business in the state.
In his remarks, Acting Chairman of All State Farmers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State branch, Dr. A.K Ebogha, thanked Obiano for providing agricultural inputs (seeds, seedlings, fertilisers and tractors) free to farmers.
He noted that since loans are critical to farmers that the Bank of Agriculture should disburse the N1.2 billion agricultural loan to farmers through an organisation with capacity and with less stringent conditions. AFAN’s acting chairman also requested the governor to effect the recommendation in the State’s Agric Blue Print on land Preparation and Parcelation amongst others.
Also in a goodwill message, South-East Regional Director of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Uche Nwafor, commended the state for supporting the Growth Enhancement Support programme with the regular payment of her 25 per cent contribution. The regional director commended the cordial relationship between the state director and the Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture.
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