Agricultural sector remains the bedrock of development of the nation despite the preference for the oil sector due to its large contribution to the economy of Nigeria hence a near total neglect of agricultural endeavors which has been considered a poor man sector of survival.
Conversely, agricultural practices are the oldest profession especially in Africa where subsistence agriculture has metamorphosed into commercial agriculture which contributes hugely to the national economy of some African nations. In Nigeria, between 1960-1970, agricultural sector funded the national budget to a very large extent. Nigeria agricultural produce forms a major export hub during this period and many nations of the world depends on us for survival. The discovery of oil in Oloibiri rendered agricultural sector inefficient and in total comatose. The dire consequences was the abandonment of agriculture which collapsed the exporting state Nigeria was known for. In reverse, Nigeria gradually turned to a major importer of agricultural products consumed locally. This become the genesis of preference for foreign products against locally produced ones. It is pertinent to note that before oil, agriculture was and will continue to be.
In another development, agricultural dividend is the joy of all and utilised for industrial purposes when properly harnessed. We are blessed with abundant arable land and a demographic structure of about 90% fall into agrarian population, yet we lag behind in ability to grow enough food to meet the needs of an expanding population in spite of various interventions in both National and State level and in all these, it must be underscored that improving the productivity in agriculture is central to addressing food security, poverty, unemployment and attaining social and economic development in our society.
In the face of all these challenges bedeviling agriculture in Africa especially in Nigeria, the administration of Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi since inception has prioritized the need for agricultural value chain through policy initiatives in revamping the near comatose sector. Numerous interventions has been witnessed and the latest one is the ongoing two weeks training of 260 indigenes of the State at Keffi, Nasarawa State in various strategic agricultural areas. The beneficiaries was carefully drawn from the 17 Local Government Area in the State on equal basis. The aim is to train our youths on mechanized farming. This initiative of the current administration in the State will help revamp our agricultural sector and create wealth and employment among our youths. The involvement of the youths is because of the current administration’s youth friendly dispositions in the last 7 years geared towards the emancipation of our youths in all areas of human endeavours through empowerment. The latest move in agricultural sector will soon launch the State into a food basket of the Nation as we expect abundant harvests when the beneficiaries applied the wisdom and experiences gained from the training.
The blueprint of the current administration will yield great results in the coming year as bountiful harvest awaits us. The era of food insecurity will be a thing of the past in Enugu State as the State relaunch Ka Anyi Jee Ugbo Mantra among our youths..
Bibian Anekwe News added: “Great leaders don’t need to act tough. Their confidence and humility serve to underscore their toughness”
Written by
Jude Chijioke Achu
Media Team Member of ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
