Anambra State Government is set to achieve food sufficiency and drive away rural poverty through active and massive mechanised agricultural activities by next year.
The State Governor, Willie Obiano, made the statement during agricultural stock-taking event to mark the World Food Day at Awka Mini Stadium on Wednesday.
The occasion, which features agricultural display from the 21 local government areas of the state, provided opportunity for the government to relate to the people areas of agricultural success, especially in rice production, in which the Governor revealed that Anambra State is gradually filling the gap of the required rice production index to the tune of 190 tons presently and expectations are high to achieve the maximum 320 tons by 2016.
Governor Obiano, who was highly elated by the agricultural exploits of the rural farmers, assured the citizens that his choice of agriculture as one of his administrative blue print was not in vain, as the state is gearing towards food sufficiency especially in rice production.
The Governor, however, urged farmers, who desire support from the government, to either join any of the existing registered 720 cooperatives or form a new one of about 20 persons.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Afam Mbanefo, stated that the present administration in Anambra State had made a lot of effort towards boosting agriculture, which had attracted up to $650 million investment in the sector.
The Governor, nonetheless, distributed high yielding and pest resistant cassava stem cuts and other seedlings to farmers and urged everybody to take agriculture seriously as it was the only preoccupation that could provide both food and finance.
