AGRICULTURE; THE ABIA SUCCESS STORY(Part 1).

#Abiaonline
By Ikechukwu Iroha
Our economy is blessed with natural resources, yet we suffer in the midst of plenty. Poverty rate in Nigeria is high compared with indices from other African countries despite its higher GDP.
We can boast of over 85% of arable land yet less than 45% is cultivated despite the large population and constant increase in unemployment.
Immediately after independence, Nigeria developed her first national plan in Agriculture which laid emphasis on the introduction of modern agricultural methods through farm settlements, cooperative farming and a greatly expanded agricultural extension services.
During these periods, some strategic development schemes and interventions were initiated to fast tract the plan.
Each of the programmes sought to improve food production which represented major feasible demonstration of the scientific approach to agricultural development in Nigeria.
Nigeria was widely and economically blessed for exporting Cocoa, Groundnut,Rubber,Cotton and palm oil until Crude Oil was discovered.
Then comes the big question, Is Crude Oil discovery a Curse or a blessing?
Despite the huge infrastructural development recorded with proceeds from the downstream sector, it can still be implied that over dependence on oil is one of the reasons for increased rate of unemployment in Nigeria owing to the fact that other sectors became unattractive to the teeming population of youths especially as government reduced efforts at encouraging Agriculture.
Agriculture will improve and provide food and raw materials which will also benefit the manufacturing sector.
As a State, there is therefore a dire need to attain self sufficiency in food production which will discourage heavy dependence on importation.
The level of unemployment will be greatly reduced once Agriculture gets government attention nationwide. To a large extent, Agriculture can help decongest cities as people can comfortably harness resources at rural farm settlements.
In the early months of Dr Ikpeazu’s administration, Abia State launched an initiative aimed at bringing back the consciousness of feeding one’s family with proceeds from family farm yards. “Back to Farm Initiative” presented an opportunity for unemployed youths to engage in different Agricultural value chain through training in Cassava, Plantain, palm oil production and processing, fishery etc.
Agriculture is expected to provide the lead in the growth for socioeconomic development in the State.
With the available arable land and favourable climatic factors for the growth of numerous food and crops, In Abia State, Agriculture has the potential that will drive our food sufficiency objective which meets the Sustainable Development Goal of bringing an end to hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Mushroom farming, which is considered medicinal and nutritious in food ecosystem. Abia has set a pace by nurturing and producing mushroom in commercial quantities. The success in mushroom farming has not gone unnoticed as our Sister State Ebonyi is doing everything to replicate the progress after understudying the methodologies employed in Abia State.
With the committed Hon.Uzo Azubuike as the man coordinating and overseeing all activities of the ministry, Abia is right on the track.
Palm oil being one of the major revenue generating commodity if efforts are put in place to move swiftly in palm plantation. Abia has taken advantage of the window that will soon make her an exporter of palm oil in Nigeria. Already, Abia has successfully nurtured over 2 milliom improved high yielding Tenera Species of palm seedlings at Ahiaba Umunze in Osisioma axis of the State.
Abia State is seeking to Sustain the ongoing efforts at Increasing Land cultivation in the State to about 45% of the total arable land including increased value to commodities.
Rice production will be enhanced by such effort of the Government. The ministry has embarked on accelerated rice production through the Anchor Borrowers Program Scheme. The State has commenced mechanized land preparation at the over 157 hectares of rice field at Ebemnta, Idima Abam Arochukwu Area of the State.
In same tendency, increase in the number of registered Agricultural cooperative societies will increase participation of indigenes in Agriculture.
Mechanization is also a brighter way to the future of Agriculture in the State. The State earlier acquired high power machines to increase and improve food production. Sustainability in food production will be achieve through mechanization ,which will eliminate subsistence farming method and bring back the joy of economics of scale.
The Abia success story will not be complete if we fail to make mention of the State’s achievement in poultry and fish farming. Farm settlements have been boosted with availability of eggs and other farm produce.
To increase and improve yields, the State has acquired and distributed bags of fertilizer at a subsidized rate. The State is doing so to encourage farmers at all levels in the State.