ABIA FARMERS RECEIVE AGRIC STORAGE AND PROCESSING MACHINES
REPORTER: LAWRENCE NWOKEDI
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State says agriculture remains one of the cardinal policy pillars of his administration.
Governor Ikpeazu stated this in a message to the distribution of automated solar multi crops dryer machines and other agricultural products, processing and storage machines.
The machines were donated by the Nigerian Stored, Products Research institute at Agricultural Development Program (ADP) in Umuahia.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ude Okochukwu, noted that government would continue to encourage people to embrace agriculture as it helped in achieving food security.
He commended the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute for their efforts in manufacturing agro-machines that could process and store agricultural products for some period of time.
The Programme Manager, Abia State ADP, Chief Israel Amanze, said that the establishment of the facility was very apt as food security in the country was being threatened by banditry, herdsmen and farmers crisis, as well as environmental degradation and climate change.
He urged the benefiting agro cooperative groups to ensure that they make judicious use of the equipment in order to boost food sufficiency in the state.
Earlier in a message, the Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research institute, Dr. Patricia Pessu, represented by the Zonal Coordinator South South and South East of the Institute, Dr. Idorenyin Nwaehujor, stated that poor processing and storage of agricultural products were some of the major challenges local farmers face in the country.
She noted that the institute was committed towards providing equipment that would assist farmers to process and store their agricultural products.