The Anambra state government led by the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo on Wednesday launched a regenerative agricultural policy and oil palm revolution of his administration geared towards the growth of the state’s agricultural economy and insurance of staple food sufficiency in the state. The governor introduced the novel agricultural policy at the events of the ceremony marking the flag-off of the 2022 Farming Season in Anambra State, with the theme “Empowering Women and Youth Through Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Development’, held at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.
According to the Governor, the old Eastern Nigeria was developed and built from the proceeds of the region’s agricultural economy, particularly the oil palm economy, which was hitherto abandoned when crude oil was discovered in the nation.
The governor stated that his administration is fully committed to the reenactment of the palm revolution and organic agriculture since the country can no longer be serviced by the crude oil economy. In addition, Prof. Soludo maintained that aside the palm revolution, that his administration is equally championing the commencement of the coconut farming in the state in a bid to generate more income for the state. He asserted that his administration runs an open policy and is ever ready to partner with communities, schools, religious bodies and individuals who are passionate in going into palm and coconut farming.
He maintained that his vision in the introduction of the regenerative agricultural policy in the state is to position the state to earn foreign exchange through the exportation of the palm and coconut produce to other countries in near future.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, dwelled on the governor’s blueprint and commitment to agricultural revolution in the state, as well as the general well-being of Ndi Anambra.
The Honourable commissioner stressed that to drive home the new agricultural policy, the state ministry of agriculture has inaugurated a “SAT Team, (Sustainable Agriculture Task Team) to map out and domesticate best indigenous farming practices for Ndi Anambra, particularly the farmers, stressing that the implementation of the policy will reduce the cost of farm inputs to the barest minimum, which will invariably ensure the reduction of the cost of staple food items in the state.
He maintained that his ministry will work with Anambra farmers, to drive home the governor’s vision in the new regenerative agricultural policy.
Present at the event were, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Victor Okafor; the Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paschal Agbodike; the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu; the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi, Traditional Rulers, Town Unions Presidents, Market Leaders, the Clergy and Members of Farmers Association from across the State. Highpoints of the occasion was the presentation of coconut and palm trees to some traditional rulers and President General of Town Unions present as well as formal planting of the trees at Ekwueme Square by Governor Soludo.
