Okorocha seeks partnership on cassava production
By Our Reporter 06/04/2012 00:00:00
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Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged the Federal Government to partner with the state in cassava production.

The governor stated this when the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwumi Adesina paid him a courtesy visit in the Government House, Owerri.

Okorocha explained that with its third position in cassava production in the country, Imo has the potential to produce enough cassava flour for local consumption and even export under the federal government’s agricultural revolution scheme.

He said: "Imo is an agrarian state with vast agricultural potentials. We presently occupy third position in cassava production which means that our state has the potential of producing enough cassava flour for local consumption and large commercial quantity for export if federal government partners with us. Apart from creating massive job opportunities, the programme also has the capacity to diversify our economy which presently depends on crude oil."

Okorocha disclosed that the state government has taken proactive steps in the agricultural sector which led to the concessioning of Imo Palm Plantation formerly known as Adapalm to Roche Group through which about N3.5 billion was generated.

He added that efforts are being intensified to ensure that the moribund Avutu Poultry is revived to function to its optimal capacity while arrangements have been made to plant an improved variety of palm seedlings in each of the 27 local government areas.

Okorocha further stated that the government has engaged the services of some agricultural experts under the Rural Agricultural Programme (RAP) for massive food production.

He disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and the Republic of Kosovo has been signed on the exportation of agricultural produce from the state.

Earlier, the Minister, Dr. Adesina said that the Federal Government has concluded plans to build an industrial cassava plant in Imo State to harness its potentials in the production of the crop.

He disclosed that under the ongoing agricultural revolution in the country, the Federal Government would assist Imo State to actualise its plan to revive the Avutu poultry.

He applauded the giant strides the Okorocha administration has made on the infrastructural development of the state as well as the policies and programmes introduced to ensure food security in the state.


http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/newsextra/42132-okorocha-seeks-partnership-on-cassava-production.html

No doubt, intensive, rather than extensive, agriculture determines who gets fed.

This one puts Enugu 3rd and Imo 4th

Benue and Kogi lead the pack (page 29, Chapter 2)

http://eucord.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/cassava_master_plan.pdf

this goes to show that when the time come the igbos will feed themselves with or without the rest of nigeria

manchy7531: this goes to show that when the time come the igbos will feed themselves with or without the rest of nigeria

This is true and same for other zones. Any group can help themselves.