Governor Of Akwa Ibom Champions Subsistence Agriculture to Combat Poverty
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has proposed subsistence agriculture as a solution to Nigeria’s widespread poverty, emphasizing his administration’s initiative to allocate two working days per month for civil servants to engage in farming activities.
During an inspection tour of demonstration farms in Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ubium local government areas over the weekend, Governor Emmanuel urged all citizens to cultivate enough food for personal consumption.
He highlighted the importance of revitalizing agriculture to stabilize staple food prices and issued directives for all local government areas (LGAs) to prioritize farming initiatives.
He said, “I am happy, but I want to thank the Chairman of Nsit Ibom local government for the work and effort she has put in. This is not a day’s work. It means she keyed into the vision and ran with it.
“One of the reports I got was when the House of Assembly came on inspection of what the interim local government chairmen have achieved. I felt very happy, with what is going on here, so I decided to visit to see it myself. I am very impressed.
“But it’s more than just the farming, the way she goes about it. We have seen that the Director from the Ministry of Agriculture is working with the local government, training the young people in the farm and then sending them back to their own farms, which is what really gives me joy because you can see the multiplier effect.”
Governor Emmanuel also commended the collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Nsit Ibom LGA in training young people in agricultural practices, foreseeing improved growth and productivity as a result of this synergy
