By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
In line with the Agricultural Revolution component of the ARISE Agenda, Governor Umo Eno has distributed 12,000 bags of fertilizer and improved seedlings to farmers across Akwa Ibom State.
Eno made the presentation while flagging off the 2024 second planting season at Uruan Local Council, as part of the events marking the 37th anniversary of the state’s creation.
The Governor reiterated the state government’s commitment to advancing agriculture to a level where young people view farming as a business opportunity. He emphasized that Akwa Ibom is blessed with favorable vegetation, good weather, an extensive road network, and security—all of which support agricultural activities. He added that it is inexcusable for anyone not to plant, at the very least, enough to meet personal consumption.
Eno noted that the free food initiative is only a temporary intervention and not sustainable in the long term, stating that the lasting solution to hunger lies in returning to farming.
He commended the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, and the entire ministry for their dedication to realizing the government’s Agricultural Revolution vision. This includes providing farm inputs such as seedlings, fertilizer, and other tools to ensure a bountiful harvest in the next season.
The Governor also praised the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for partnering with the state to make fertilizer, seedlings, and other farm inputs available. He further revealed that machinery for mechanized farming would soon be distributed to farmers.
Recounting steps already taken to achieve agricultural transformation, Eno highlighted the ongoing Ibom Integrated Farm project, the sponsorship of Akwa Ibom indigenes to Cotonou for training in modern farming techniques, and others to the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center.
“Today, we have for distribution twelve thousand (12,000) bags of fertilizer that will be distributed to all local governments, ten thousand (10,000) cassava cuttings, twenty thousand (20,000) improved oil palm seedlings from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), five thousand (5,000) trays of pepper seedlings, and more,” the Governor said.
He also stressed the importance of reintroducing agricultural practices in schools. “I love the fact that we have brought our students into agriculture. When we were in school, we had school farms where we harvested most of the food we ate. It’s time to return to such practices and encourage children to develop a love for agriculture at an early age.”
Governor Eno encouraged every household to engage in small-scale farming, regardless of occupation. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an engineer, doctor, or entrepreneur—as long as you eat, there’s a need to at least have a garden at home. We have also declared the first and third Fridays of every month as farm days, freeing civil servants to tend to their farms. Let’s make farming a hobby we all enjoy.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, commended the Governor for his efforts in enhancing food sufficiency in the state and assured that the ministry is ready to drive the vision to success.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Uruan LGA, Uduak Udoenang, highlighted the area’s rich agricultural resources, both on land and in water, and assured that they are willing to provide land for the state government’s agricultural initiatives.
