Ebonyi state governor Francis Nwifuru Tuesday procured 15 brand new tractors for farmers in the state.
Nwifuru also ordered procurement of 13,000 bags of fertilizer to be distributed free of charge to farmers.
Procurement of these farm inputs and tractor was to make farming easier and ensure sufficient food production in the state
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iyioku, disclosed this to members of Correspondents’Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who paid her courtesy visit.
She noted that they would be given to the farmers after the flag off next week.
Iyioku said, “Fertilizer this time around is very expensive but I have to thank His Excellency the Governor. The Governor doesn’t joke with anything about Agriculture. He still approved the same 13,000 bags we distributed to farmers last year.
” Most of the farmers are complaining about land preparation, that preparing land is mainly their major problem they are having.
“I said okay, before the wet season which is the season we are now, we will be able to buy the equipment that they will be using to prepare most of their lands.
” To the glory of God, we will be flagging of our 15 tractors that the Governor procured for the farmers. After the flag off, we will give it to them so that it will help them to prepare their lands”, she stated.
Iyioku, a former local government Chairman said the state poultry farm which was dead for many years has been revived, with 90% completion.
“By 1st week of June, we will be putting livestock in the poultry farm and we cannot be buying feed outside. So, His Excellency has also approved the construction of Ebonyi feed mill. It’s going to be massive. We will be feeding our livestock and also be empowering our people and most importantly, make IGR for the state and employ our people”, she said.
