Akwa Ibom Establishes Agric Equipment Firm for Mechanised Farming

Governor Umo Eno, the Akwa Ibom state government has invested in large-scale farming with mechanised agriculture option, to boost food production and curb hunger and starvation in the state

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The state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, n line recently unveiled a modern agricultural equipment leasing facility to enhance surplus food production.

Speaking during the commissioning of the facility at Ekpri Nsukara community in Uyo, the state capital, the governor stated that “the facility is primed to help farmers turn agriculture from a peasant undertaking to a mechanized enterprise.”

He noted that “agriculture is a big business,” and urged the people not just to see it as a subsistence undertaking, but a potentially profitable enterprise.

Governor Eno said the facility was the first phase of his administration’s intervention with equipment leasing, adding that other phases would follow subsequently.

He explained that leasing of the equipment would be subsidised by 50 per cent, as a way of supporting farmers in the State, and called on them to take full advantage of the opportunity to produce enough food for the people.

Governor Eno commended the project engineer, Alorye Ogar, a young lady who, according to him, epitomises the Akwa Ibom spirit of excellence and passion for creativity, for her quality delivery of the project.

He noted that Ogar, was selected from the ARISE Procurement Portal (APP), based on her perceived competence, and urged the youths, especially the female folks amongst them, to emulate her enterprising spirit.

The governor also commended the facility manager, Ifiok Ekott, who, he also said, has shown incredible drive and dedication to interpreting his vision about the facility for the great work he and his teams have done.

Earlier, the commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor, appreciated Governor Eno, for prioritizing agriculture and food sufficiency in the State.
Speaking on behalf of commercial farmers, the spokesperson of Akwa Ibom Industrial Farmers, Hogan Bassey, appreciated the Governor for the farm equipment leasing initiative which, according to him, has relieved farmers of the high cost of renting equipment for farming.

He noted that currently, the cost of hiring a tractor to cultivate one hectare was N150, 000, which required about N1. 5 million to cultivate ten hectares, and expressed satisfaction with the Governor’s initiative and for subsidising hiring of the equipment.