December 18, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NADDI) said plans have been concluded to partner the Federation of Agriculture Communities Association of Nigeria (FACAN), to scale up agricultural production across local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, with a focus on high-value food crops.
The partnership was unveiled on Wednesday in Eket, during the inauguration of the Eket Local Government Area chapter of FACAN, held at Sure Value Hotel, Eket.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of NADDI, South-South Nigeria, Dr Howard Usen, described the partnership as a strategic intervention to strengthen grassroots agriculture and positioning Akwa Ibom as a major contributor to food security.
“This partnership with FACAN is designed to boost agriculture in Akwa Ibom LGAs, particularly through the cultivation of high-value food crops that can enhance farmers’ income and ensure food sufficiency”, Usen said.
He noted that the choice of Eket for the engagement was significant, especially with the recent appointment of an Eket indigene as Senior Special Assistant on NADDI by Governor Umo Eno.
“The work in Eket will be pivotal and easier because of the support framework already in place and the appointment of an Eket son into NADDI by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno”, he stated.
Usen clarified that NADDI is part of a broader African agricultural development framework, though known locally as NADDI in Nigeria, adding that Akwa Ibom State has fully embraced the initiative.
“NADDI is not originally a Nigerian initiative; it exists in other African countries under different names, but in Nigeria it is known as NADDI and has enjoyed full support from the Akwa Ibom State Government”, he added.
According to him, the initiative has continued to receive backing from the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade and Investment in the state over the years.
“My mission in Eket is to programme agricultural activities based on the cooperative advantage Eket has over other LGAs, so that a global work plan can be presented to the state government as the new farming season approaches”, Usen added.
He further stressed the need for a strong and knowledgeable leadership structure within FACAN at the local level.
“We must put in place a working executive body that understands the association’s template, and the local government authority should have input to ensure balance and synergy with the state body”, he said.
Describing Eket as agriculturally strategic, Usen added: “Eket must set specific templates in agriculture that can be achieved within a short time.”
Representing the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture, the Director of Agricultural Information Services, Mr Akwaowo Obop, said the partnership aligned with the state government’s drive to ensure food security.
“This partnership is aimed at ensuring food security and sufficiency in Akwa Ibom State, and the government is fully interested in its success”, Obop said.
He disclosed that the Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) has been moved to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
“With AKADEP now domiciled in the SSG’s office, funds and seedlings will be released to farmers according to farming seasons”, he explained.
Obop advised farmers to properly register to benefit from the programme, saying, “Farmers should ensure proper registration so they can access funding and seedlings when they are released.”
Also speaking, the Eket Local Government Supervisor for Agriculture, Mr Daniel Essien, urged that the programme should focus on genuine farmers rather than political considerations.
“This scheme should be centred on real farmers who understand agriculture and what is required, devoid of politics”, Essien said.
Declaring his lifelong involvement in farming, he added, “I have been a farmer all my life, and Eket has the capacity to produce high-value food crops and livestock if given the needed support.”
Essien called for increased government and donor intervention, saying, “All we need is support from government and donor agencies to improve production.”
He further disclosed that prominent farmers in the area were ready to key into the initiative.
“We have big names in Eket who are into large-scale farming, and they will get involved in this programme soon. Even the council chairman is a serious farmer”, he said.
Highlighting recent agricultural support in the area, Essien noted, “The chairman is distributing 50 tubers of yam and other farm produce as Christmas gifts to each political ward in Eket, and it will be on the media.”
He, however, appealed for tangible outcomes from the initiative, saying, “Please let this not be another waste of my farming hours. Let something good come out of this gathering.”
Essien also called for infrastructural support, adding, “For example, we need rain houses because our people lost a lot of tomatoes during the last rainfall. Let farming be separated from politics.”
In his remarks after being inaugurated as Chairman of FACAN, Eket Chapter, Mr Celestine Akpan said the engagement with NADDI had renewed farmers’ confidence.
“The encouragement from NADDI has boosted our interest in FACAN, and farmers in Eket are ready to work towards achieving our agricultural goals”, Akpan said.
He pledged the commitment of the new executive to work with stakeholders to advance agricultural development in the area.
