SUPPORT FARMERS TO FEED THE NATION: NSUKKA LG CHAIRMAN BEGS FG/ENUGU STATE GOVT
REPORTER: NNENNA IGWE
The Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Dr. Walter Ozioko, has appealed to the federal and state governments to help in providing soft loans, farm inputs, and irrigation farming for teaming young farmers in the area.
This is to encourage all year round agricultural activities in the area to guarantee food security and boost economic revenue of the state government.
Dr. Ozioko, who made the appeal in an interview with Radio Nigeria, said that the area was fertile for many agricultural produce, including okpa, yellow pepper, palm oil, potatoes, kola nut, and different other local fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Ozioko, who noted that Nsukka Local Government Area was the largest local government in Enugu State, assured farmers and investors that the council had been able to curb the spate of insecurity hindering farmers from cultivating in their farm lands.
He explained that if governments at different levels as well as non governmental organisations could come to their aid by providing mechanised agriculture in the area, the benefiting farmers would comfortably feed Enugu State and beyond.
Dr. Ozioko pointed out that majority of the youths in the area had been provided with soft loans to encourage them to go into agriculture but said it was not yet enough.
Also, a farmer in the local government, Mr. Chikadibia Agbo, expressed happiness that the council had been making efforts to start exporting some of their farm produce, especially the yellow pepper.
He said he was hopeful that if eventually realised, they would help the country to earn foreign exchange.
