Anambra Agric Programme Attracts $745m

Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has said that his administration’s agricultural programme aimed at making the state self-sufficient in food production has attracted about $745million in less than two years.

Governor Obiano who disclosed this at the weekend while flagging-off this year’s farming season at Otuocha, in Anambra-East local government area of the state, expressed satisfaction with the injection of $150 million (N30 billion) by Coched Farms Limited, a subsidiary of Coscharis Limited into its agricultural project in the state.

He further announced that Joseph Agro Limited, has invested the sum of $200 million (N40 billion) into its rice farming project in the state.

Governor Obiano further disclosed that Ekcel Farms in Umueje community, has invested $220 million (N44 billion) in cassava and tomato paste production, adding that Lynden Farms Limited, plans to set up an ultra-modern poultry farm in the state at the cost of $60 million ((N12 billion).

Governor Obiano emphasized that agriculture remained the corner stone of his administration, adding that his administration targets to become one of the three top states in the country in agricultural production.

He observed that the only way to sustain the gains already made in the agricultural sector is “to seek creative ways of multiplying the prospects of farming as a rewarding enterprise for farmers.”

He said, “As a consequence of this, we have created the Anambra State Farmers Enhancement Scheme to boost the chances of success for smallholder farmers in the state.”

Earlier in his speech, the commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, said that the 2015 farming season with the theme “Pushing the Frontiers of Agriculture in Anambra State,” provided an opportunity for the governor to interact with farmers and stakeholders in the sector.

In his goodwill message, the South-East regional director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Uche Nwafor, commended the Anambra State government for supporting the federal government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme.