Anambra captures 106 farmers in data base

A total of 106 farmers in Anambra State have been profiled with the geographical map of their farms, in the state information data base.

The state governor, Willie Obiano, made the disclosure in Awka during the Commodity Trade Promotion and Knowledge Fair organised by the state Value Chain Development Programme, IFAD assisted.

He revealed that the state information system application would be launched next week with all the extension officers in the field gathering market prices of farm produce from farm gate or market at weekly or bi-weekly basis, aimed at providing linkage opportunity for farmers.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanization, Processing and Export, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, the governor further disclosed that over 200 hectares of farmland had been developed across seven communities in the five IFAD, VCDP participating council areas with access roads.

He urged farmers to approach agriculture from the business point of view.

Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, said the statutory role of the ministry is to primarily promote agricultural investment, development programmes, and to research for agricultural innovations and productivity.

Ogbe, represented by his Senior Adviser, International Donor Projects, Appeh Auta II, said agriculture should help to achieve food security, impact substitution, job creation and economic diversification.

On his part, the National Programme Coordinator IFAD, VCDP, Dr. Amen Onoja, appealed to the state government to set standard for farmers, noting that the workshop was aimed at interacting with critical stakeholders.

The Commodity Trade Promotion and Knowledge Fair with theme ‘Market and Product Development for Competitive Rice and Cassava Value Chains’, kicked off at the conference hall of the ADP and ended at the VCDP stands at the just concluded state trade fair, held at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square Awka.