The efforts of Enugu State Government to promote agriculture and boost food production have continued to yield good results with the cultivation of more than eighty hectares of pepper and rice farm at Songhai graduate farm settlement at Adani, Uzo-Uwani Council area.
The cultivated hectares of land in the farm settlement being managed by the state government sponsored graduate farmers, is made up of twenty hectares of pepper and sixty hectares of rice farm as well as poultry sections, fish pound and orchard.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the farm, the State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime described it as one of the practical demonstration of his administration to revive agriculture and restore the state premier position in food production.
Stressing that the State Government was committed to ensuring massive food production in the state from the Songhai Graduate farm settlement, the Governor stated that agriculture had been the main stay of the economy of the state in the past and promised to restore it to its past glories in the state.
He said that the challenges facing the farm especially transportation, provision of health facilities and access road to the farm and its host community would be addressed quickly to ensure the optimal benefits and smooth operation of the settlement
He expressed satisfaction on the level of work done in the renovation of facilities at the farm and also thanked the farmers for their level of achievements, commitments and patriotism shown so far and assured them of continued government support.
Earlier in an address, the leader of the graduate farmers, Mr. Chijioke Uwaemena said that with proper management and support by government, they will do more to boost food production in the state.
Mr. Uwaemena thanked the state government for her interest in agriculture and the opportunity given them to be part of the success story of government in the area of agriculture.
He, therefore, appealed to the Governor to assist them to access CADP/FADAMA grant, early take off of other green cities of farm in local government areas in the state and ready market for their produce during harvest time.
Mr. Uwaemena used the occasion to draw the Governor’s attention to some of their problems which included poor road network to the farm, electricity supply, early supply of farm inputs, proper definition of their working conditions and health care facilities and appealed to him to address them.
