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…Agric Boss Promises Government’s Continuous Support to All Category of Famers
In pursuit of the Akwa Ibom State Government’s commitment to ensure food Sufficiency, cultivation of various crops, income generation as well as create employment for the populace, the Ministry of Agriculture has flagged off ginger cultivation in Akwa Ibom State.
Performing the exercise on Monday, 7th June, 2021, at Ndon Ebom, Uruan Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet said Agriculture involves going beyond the theoretical to the practical aspect, where people can see and feel its impact.
Dr. Edet commended the farmer-friendly Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel whose belief and good work in Agriculture have made possible the cultivation of most crops at the commercial level such as coconut, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, pepper and so on. She disclosed that the ministry will soon distribute over 700,000 cocoa seedlings to farmers, and subsequently, oil palm farmers will also benefit from seedlings.
The Commissioner commended the National Ginger Association of Nigeria as well as the State chapter of the association in their commitment. The Agriculture Boss, who emphasized teamwork, promised to support the group and other farmers to make Akwa Ibom State a major producer and exporter of ginger and its products.
Earlier, in his keynote address, the resource person, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ohiaeri who represented the President, National Ginger Association of Nigeria, Squadron Leader Huhu Daudu appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for Agricultural Development in the state which has made Akwa Ibom State stand out.
Daudu, who underscored the need for continuous ginger cultivation, said Nigerian ginger is a lucrative spice with high demand in the market, due to its potency in addressing cold, pains, inflammatory conditions and other health benefits.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of National Ginger Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Obonganwan Theresa Essien noted that the aim of the group is to produce, process high-quality ginger of international standard, which would be marketed in order to improve the standard of living through income generation.
In his comment, the Village Head of Ndon Ebom, Chief Augustine Effiong, said the community is blessed with enough expanse of fertile land for cultivation and urged the group to put it to optimal use. Chief Effiong, reiterated the community’s readiness to cooperate with the Ministry and Ginger Association to achieve the desired objectives.
In his speech, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Prince Bassey Inwang expressed delight that Governor Udom Emmanuel has promoted Agriculture to the level where we have different commodity value chains being done in different Local Government Areas of the State.
Prince Inwang who lauded the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet for properly interpreting the vision of Governor Udom, noted that the achievements in the Agricultural sub-sector are a result of the effective piloting of Agricultural programmes in the State. The event featured the symbolic planting of ginger by the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet and others.
