Akwa Ibom State Government has distributed 500,000 cocoa seedlings and other farm inputs to farmers in the state as part of efforts to rejig the cocoa subsector.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Women Affairs, Dr Glory Edet, presented the seedlings to farmers at Odoro Ikpe in Ini Local Government Area of the state.

Edet, while speaking at the nursery farm, commended the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, for his commitment towards achieving food security in the state.

According to her, the governor’s efforts and unflinching support have made the state the largest cocoa-producing state in Nigeria.

She added, “Beyond ensuring abundance in cocoa production in the state, Akwa Ibom now has the best variety of cocoa in the country.

“The governor has ensured that agrochemicals are also distributed to the farmers to ward off pests, while fertilisers and sprayers have also been provided to the cocoa farmers to increase their yields.” In their reaction, beneficiaries of the seedlings expressed gratitude to the state governor for his timely intervention and support for the cocoa industry.

Also, the state chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Otoinwang Basset Inyang, has extended his appreciation to the governor for his unwavering support to farmers. Inyang noted that Udom’s administration spearheaded the best turnaround in the growth of agriculture in the state.

President of Ekemini Co-operative Cassava Farm in Odoro Ikpe, Obonganwan Idara Ekpe, also thanked the state governor for his constant efforts at boosting cassava cultivation in the state.

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA