The Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, distributed cheques worth 70 million Naira (about 449,000 dollars) to 153 Fadama users groups in 77 Fadama community associations in the state.

Speaking at an event which held at the ADP complex in Awka, the governor said that the donation was to reiterate the commitment of his administration to supporting farmers in the state towards achieving sustainable food production in order to reduce hunger and poverty in the state.

He said that his administration would ensure that the agricultural sector was totally transformed, as food was basic for continued sustenance of life.

The fund is expected to be used for the implementation of small scale community-owned infrastructure, income yielding assets and input support.

Obi enjoined the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the fund to achieve government’s vision of expanding and promoting agricultural activities for attainment of food security in order to fight extreme poverty and hunger.

The project is in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ndubuisi Menakaya, said that aside from the procurement of 100 tractors for farmers use and the resuscitation of the collapsed irrigation facilities for rice farming, the state was partnering with the Bank of Agriculture to provide one digit interest rate loans for farmers. In the partnership, the state is contributing 500 million Naira (about 3.2 million dollars) .

The farmers expressed their appreciation to the governor while the chairman of all Farmers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Nnamdi Meko, thanked the governor for his intervention in the agriculture sector which impacted directly on the farmers.