By Ogu Bundu Nwadike, M.A
As the 2021 planting season draws nigh, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has big plans for the enhancement of agriculture in the State. To that extent, the Party has called upon farmers and entire people of Imo State to prepare to make the best out of the planting season.
It may be recalled that in a press statement signed by the State Chairman, Imo PDP, Engr. Charles C. Ugwuh, OON, he expressed worry about the problem of shortage of staple food, which situation was worsened by the skyrocketing prices of food stuff in Nigeria, and Imo State in particular. The Party vide the press statement urged the Government of Imo State to do something promptly to address the problems of food shortages and increasing food prices.
The high interest Engr. Ugwuh has and exhibits in the development of agriculture in Imo State should not be surprising to Imo people that know his antecedents and pedigree. For instance, during his quest to be Imo governor in 2007, he had a very good plan for the pragmatic development of agriculture in the State.
For instance, in his manifesto entitled: “Building A Stronger Economic Base For Imo – An Action Plan By Engr. Charles Ugwuh (Rokana), under the “Agricultural Development” statement, the then PDP guber candidate, he stated that “To ensure food security for the people of Imo State and exploit opportunities for export crops” as his goal for agricultural development.
Some of the items of his “Action Plan” for agriculture that will remain evergreen are:
(i) Introduce and vigorously pursue policies that promote the production of food and cash crops, livestock, in areas of natural advantage.
(ii) Promote the establishment of farm plantations and introduce basic mechanization of land preparation that improves subsistence farming to produce sufficient and cheap food for Imo people at all times.
(iii) Provide new seedlings, parent stocks, new techniques and effective training and extension services support to facilitate rapid take off of agro-business in Imo State.
(iv) Educate farmers and provide support/help in the acquisition of viable preservation techniques for farm produce and encourage the establishment of agricultural processing factories.
That’s not all. In addition, it must be reminded that in the seven and half months of the PDP RebuildImo administration, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON repositioned agriculture as the direction of the new generation.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Agriculture to the Governor, Hon. Victor Mbalewe, has done a very good job of cataloguing the landmark plans, programmes, projects and achievements of Governor Emeka Ihedioha in the agriculture sector.
Hon. Mbalewe also served as Project Manager, Anchor Borrowers Programme; and
Coordinator, Imo Youth in Agribusiness Programme (IYAP).
In the course of our researching for this short essay, Hon. Mbalewe most graciously availed us the rich collection of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s efforts at repositioning agriculture as a very attractive alternative to the challenges of unemployment and under-employment.
The following is an unedited reproduction of the thorough work done by Hon. Victor Mbalewe:
“Dear Sir,
HIGHLIGHT OF MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF HIS EXCELLENCY, RT. HON. EMEKA IHEDIOHA’s ADMINISTRATION IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR
“Let me sincerely commend you for your relentless and highly professional efforts to bring to the fore the unprecedented development strides in Imo State during the short-lived tenure of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as Governor
“In particular, I wish to intimate you on some of His Excellency’s major achievements and initiatives in the Agriculture Sector, an effective route to improving the economic fortune of millions of Imo citizens, on a sustainable basis. Driven mostly by a 4-man Agriculture Team in collaboration with other Committees and relevant Government departments, His Excellency’s vision was a robust agriculture sector that guaranteed the following:
*accelerated development of commercial agriculture, especially through improved access to productive resources and profitable markets;
*improved food security;
*creation of massive employment opportunities along its value chains;
*enhanced annual income of farmers;
*cost-effective supply of agro-industrial raw materials; and
*stimulation of economic activities across the 27 LGAs of Imo State.
ACTIVITY
DESCRIPTION
STATUS
1.
AGRICULTURE ROAD MAP PREPARATION:
A further development of the Technical Transition Committee (TTC) recommendations into a document that will guide policy formulation and preparation of food and agriculture interventions by the State Government.
Completed and launched on August 29, 2019.
2.
RESUSCITATION OF ADAPALM OHAJI OIL MILL AND PLANTATION:
*Resuscitation of the ailing 4,300 hectare plantation;
*Turnaround repairs of its 30-tonne per hour oil mill to make them going concerns, while negotiating with investors on future management model.
Improvement in the general security of ADAPALM and its plantation for conducive industrial activity.
Eighty per cent (80%) completed.
3.
IMO YOUTHS IN AGRIBUSINESS PROGRAMME:
Designed to facilitate the transformation of Imo youths from job seekers to creators of jobs and wealth, by building their capacity through training, provision of financial, technical and other forms of support.
Successfully selected and trained 667 Imo youths from all the 304 Wards in agribusiness at the International Skills Acquisition Centre (ISAC), Nasarawa State.
4.
RICE SEEDLINGS MULTIPLICATION PROGRAMME IN AMUMARA, EZINIHITTE MBAISE LGA:
*Training of Imo youths and out-grower farmers on production of minimum of 5 improved varieties of rice seeds for distribution to farmers in the State.
On-going.
5.
DATA CAPTURE OF FARMERS & OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN THE 27 LGAs:
*To develop a data base of farmers and related information for planning purposes.
Final stages.
6.
REHABILITATION AND UPGRADING OF ABANDONED RICE MILLS AT IHITTE-UBOMA:
*To rehabilitate abandoned rice mills to process paddy produced by rural farmers for improved quality of product and enhanced income. On-going.
7.
IMO OIL PALM REVOLUTION PROGRAMME:
*To reposition oil palm as the king of crops in Imo State, and harness its potentials for job and wealth creation;
Target of 3 million improved oil palm seedlings to be planted within 3 years, at the rate of 7,000 hectares per annum;
*Over 50,000 hectares of land donated by partnering communities;
*First batch of high quality Tenera species oil palm seedlings from Costa Rica already raised in government-owned nursery in Old Nekede, Owerri.
8.
ENGAGEMENT OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA FOR SUPPORT IN AGRICULTURE:
*Development of templates for Imo farmers’ access to CBN low interest funds under such the ANCHOR BORROWERS PROGRMME, ACCELERATED AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, and COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SCHEME, with provision of necessary guarantees by the government.
Advanced negotiations on funding of Adapalm and Imo palm revolution programme
Advanced stage.
9.
IMO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (ADP):
*Repositioning and modernizing of Imo ADP for delivery on its core mandates in agricultural extension services, training, research and input supply.
*Training of Imo youths and other farmers in Light Agro Mechanization, including power tillers and irrigation technologies for improved yield.
On-going.
*Model garri-processing factory established in Imo ADP headquarters.
10.
IMO MODERN POULTRY, AVUTU:
Advanced negotiation with an Israeli company on the concession of long-neglected poultry project.
On-going.
11.
PAYMENT OF COUNTERPART FUNDS TO VARIOUS MULTILATERAL AGENCIES:
Revived collaboration with United Nations Agencies and other international development partners, to attract IFAD LIFE-ND Project Fund for development of the value chains of more than 6 food products/commodities.
On-going.”
It’s on the foregoing backdrop that the plans by Imo PDP to provide various supports for farmers and people of Imo State in the 2021 must be understood as a well-reasoned programme for the enhancement of food production in the State, both at the commercial and subsistence farming levels.
The primary aim is to encourage farming in and production of staple food like maize, cassava, vegetables, pepper, tomatoes, etcetera among the masses of the State. It should be remembered that Imo State has arable land that supports the production of food of varying categories.
Therefore, ceteris peribus, the 2021 farming year, with the articulate vision of Engr. Charles C. Ugwuh, as State Chairman of Imo PDP will, by the grace of God, introduce a new positive vista in the annals of agricultural development in Imo State.
To God be the glory!
Power to the People!!
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP NASIRU MOHAMMED has activated all tactical teams, with a view to fish out and arrest the fleeing hoodlums.
Leading the courtesy visit delegation, Chairman of the group, and one-time Deputy Governorship candidate in the state, Chief Dr. Lady Nneoma Ukpabi introduced to the Special Adviser, her successful line up of statutory executives and appointees.
The screen diva explained that her mission was to take the guild to greater glory so as to ensure the protection of members welfare and guarantee their rise to stardom.An initial plan for executive action in and publicity package for the guild was presented to the Special Adviser, for his information.Moderating the meeting, award winning actor and poet Chuma Mmeka who is also the newly elected Director of Communications and Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Guild hinted that a new Chairman’s Advisory Board made up of seven very prominent and reputable Imo individuals would be announced at the Hope for AGN Imo (2021) Inauguration event coming up very soon.
Responding, Hon. Bobby spoke on the need for oneness of purpose and unity within the guild, “Together we are stronger, together we can and will achieve alot”.The Special Adviser on Entertainment, himself a renowned thespian, also reiterated the readiness of government to collaborate with Imo Entertainers to showcase talents, brands and enterprise. He promised to help repackage the public image profile of the guild.Bobby Michaels who had visited the election venue to observe the process personally, called on those who lost the elections to sheath their swords and join hands with the new Executives to ensure proper dividends for the guild.
Other Executive Officers present at the meeting were Prince Chikaodi Nwafor (Deputy Chairman), Royal Prince Cres Ugo (Secretary), Johnbosco Iwu (Financial Secretary), Emenike Ogali (Director of Guild Services D.G.S), and Uchebest Madumere (Chief Whip) who was unavoidably absent.
