Chinedum Elekwachi
Unubi Youth Association, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra state has distributed over 900 economic tree seedlings to farmers in the community.
The group undertook the initiative under the “Operation Farm To Feed Campaign” launched by the state government.
The seedlings distributed included Bitter Kola, Guava, SourSop, Cocoa, Breadfruit and Orange.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor flagged off the distribution, commending the initiative aimed at boosting productivity and improve livelihoods in the community.
Ihejiofor, represented by Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka said government was committed to expanding the operation Farm To Feed Campaign to ensure greater food security and economic sustainability of farmers.
He assured government commitment to sustaining the campaign including other intervention measures, support services and seedlings distribution.
Ihejiofor said the move was also a way of reinventing economic tree revolution started by Dr M.I Okpara back to the new generation.
Immense potential
According to him, economic trees hold immense potential to drive economic growth, enhance food security, secure future generations and promote Sustainability.
The Unubi Yoth Leader and prime promoter of the program, Mr Aguiyi Ezeani, described it as grassroots outreach effort aimed at encouraging mass participation in agriculture.
“Unubi land is fertile and every space is a garden. Own one today and join this campaign to beat hunger and food crisis,” he added.
Ezeani explained that the exercise aligns with the state government’s agenda to strengthen agriculture through Operation Farm To Feed.
He said the program was to ensure availability of at least three seedlings per household in the community.
Resource persons, Charles Okafor, Director, Market Garden, Ministry of Agriculture and Benedetto Obi, Aguata Zonal Manager, urged the recipients to maintain proper spacing, use organic manure, and apply soil enhancers correctly for optimal growth.
They educated the farmers on good agronomic practices to assist them in their farming endeavours and ensure improved yields.
“Without basic agronomic practices, we will not get the good result and yield we want from plants”
Nurturing the seedlings
The technical experts, therefore, urged the farmers to demonstrate commitment to nurturing the seedlings responsibly for greater productivity and impact.
Contributing, the ASATU Youth State Coordinator and Lady Organiser, Onumah Akunnnia, added that the program marked a significant step toward the prosperity of the community’s economic tree production.
She narrated her personal experience on making huge sums of money from Bitter Kola business.
Onumah advised youths to follow the foot step of Gov Soludo and his wife by engaging in backyard farming, adding that “Oil money is in your backyard”
Some of the beneficiaries including Chinonso Udemba and Comfort Ochuba, appreciated the organisers for extending the seedlings to them.
While commending the organizers and the technical team, they said the seedlings would be of immense assistance to them.
They expressed optimism that the gesture would have greater impact on them in the next five years.
Earlier, the team paid a courtesy call on the Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Francis Umennajiego Umeahazurume.
The royal father who encouraged the natives to embrace the opportunity with enthusiasm and determination.
