PILOT PROJECT: Anambra Agric MINISTRY Partners Stakeholders On Organic Farming

By Praise Chinecherem

The Organic Agriculture Development Culture Pilot Programme says it will collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of practices for enhancing organic farming in Anambra State

The organisation partnering with the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) of the State Ministry of Agriculture is to train 21 Extension Agents on organic farming.

Inaugurating the Agricultural Extension Agents drawn from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, underscored the importance of effective implementation of the programme.

While describing organic farming as aligning with the best practices, she said the training would further build the capacity of the agents and farmers.

She urged the participants to take advantage of the training to step down the knowledge to the grassroots in line with the solution agenda to improve the agricultural sector in the state

The National Co Ordinator, Organic Agriculture Development Culture Pilot Programme, Sir Martin Ihesie, explained that under the programme 129 farmers in each local government area would be empowered to grow economic cash crops including Coconut, Palm Seedlings, Breadfruit etc

“We are reintroducing farm yard manure to you all because of its numerous advantages. We are here to educate you all on four major advantages of organic agricultural development culture and the need for its practice.

“Organic agriculture is very important in the lives of farmers in Anambra State because it calls for an end of the application of unfriendly fertilizers, pesticide and herbicide chemicals to the farming lands”

Earlier, the Programme Manager, Agriculture Development Project (ADP), Mr Jude Nwankwo, called for sustainability of the training geared towards production of healthy foods and urged the participants to take ownership of the programme.

According to him, the ADP work plan is to use the extension services to achieve the target of boosting food security in the state.

The State Desk Officer of the Programme, Mrs Patricia Ubah, who spoke on the topic “Importance of Organic Agricultural Practice For Farmers In Anambra” explained that challenges militating against the practice could be overcomed.

Present at the event were the Director of Technical Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Godwin Akujieze, Ministry’s Legal Adviser, Mrs Uju Edoagu