In an effort to boost food security in Cross River state, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the President, has kick-started her Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support programme in the state with 320 persons and 30 schools as targets.
The coordinator of the programme in Cross River, Bishop (Dr) Eyoanwan Otu, who is also the wife of the state governor, said during a press briefing in Calabar, that the programme would Kick-off properly on Monday February 3, 2025 and that her office received from the national body the sum of N68.9 million to facilitate the programme which, she said, is divided into four categories.
The categories, she said, include The Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), Youths Agricultural Support Programme, Every Home a Garden Initiative and Young Farmers Club in schools.
Represented by her Chief Press Secretary, Mrs Faith Okon, the governor’s wife further explained that “these four agricultural initiatives are holistically aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing food security across the nation.
“It provides each participant with an opportunity to expand their agriculture venture while contributing to local and national food production.
“For Cross River State, this programme will Carter for 200 women, one from each political wards, who will be trained according to their preferences on crop production, fishery and poultry farming.
“Each of the trainee on fish farming will be empowered with 200 juveniles, one fibre tanks, 2 bags of feeds and medication; Those for poultry will get 50 day old chicks 2 bags of starter feeds and 2 bags of fisher feeds, while those for crop production will be empowered with improved seeds, okra, pumpkin seeds, organic fertilizers, watering cans.”
According to her, 60 youths and another 60 homes would also be empowered while the Young Farmers Club, which would seek to revitalize school farming with a view to encouraging young people to see agriculture as a career path, targets 30 schools across the state.
Blueprint gathered that the Renewed Hope Initiative Agriculture Support Programme is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Cross River State ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development as well as the Office of the Wife of the Governor for effective delivery of the programmes’ objectives