GOVERNOR IKPEAZU SHORING ABIA INDEPENDENT REVENUE THROUGH AGRICULTURE; THE OKPARA EXAMPLE

By Adimchinobi Onyenso, a public affairs analyst


It is not an overstatement to say that Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has practically revived the comatose socio-economic activities in God's own State such that today, there are smiles of renewed hope on the faces of Abians. His multifold achievement is hinged on the 5 pillars of the administration viz; Agriculture, commerce and industry, SME development, education and Oil and Gas with other enablers like Health, Infrastructure etc.
Agriculture as a critical sector in the Socio-economic life of the nation is highly indispensable, considering the fact that up to 70% of the nation's population is actively engaged in and ekes out their livelihood through it. It also provides a veritable source of raw materials for our industries, hence, it is often rightly said that "no farmer no nation". It is rather disheartening that the discovery of crude oil in large quantity in the early 1970s led to the utter neglect of this very important sector which invariably fueled systemic corruption as though the discovery of oil is a cursed blessing. The fluctuating of the oil prices in the international market and the slide in the year 2015 to the ebb of $28 per barrel made it imperative for us as a nation to speedily resort to agriculture as a reliable avenue to stabilize our foreign exchange earnings.
Thus, the Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu's administration in Abia has deemed Agriculture as a workable means of hastily diversifying from over-dependence on crude oil revenue (FAAC) in order to pull the State's economy from the woods. Therefore, the oil palm revolution of the present administration is on track and only comparable to that of the premier of the eastern region, late Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okwaras era, when the Malaysians came to the eastern region to outsource palm seedlings that is today the bedrock of their metaphoric palm oil industry.
The emphasis on oil palm stems from the fact that as at the year 2015, palm oil was better priced in the global market than crude oil. This justifies why the State, having looked at its comparative advantage through the Agric ministry embarked on a massive palm plantation with over 4,000,000 Tenera species seedling grown, planted and sold across the state to help replace the old less productive species. The ministry targets to hit 7.5 million seedlings before the end of 2022 to boast the State independent revenue.
The government of the day has also made very significant effort in increasing the rice production capacity, targeted at meeting local consumption demands and for exports, hence the popularized "Abia Rice" brand. In addition, the abandoned Igu Dam is being rebuilt to make it possible for all year rice production in the State.
The good news did not end there as the ministry of Agriculture for the first time, embarked on a large scale mushroom production. What seemed as an experiment initially is now a success story as Abians and Nigerians alike are now patronizing it. Moreover, it is in tune with Governor Ikpeazu's self sustenance mantra for each of the ministries.
The Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's result-driven administration has also made extensive investment in poultry and fish production. The Nsulu poultry cluster is a laudable brainchild of this administration. Admirably, the phase 1 of 100 poultry pens of 2000 birds is now on stream, with arrangements on top gear to replicate similar farms across the two other senatorial zones of Abia North and South of the State. The State Government is also partnering with the Bank Of Industry and the Federal Government on increasing egg production.
The State government also has comparative advantages in cashew and cocoa production and has made tremendous effort in funding commercial Agriculture through grants and loans made accessible to farmers in order to create wealth for the State as there are also plans in the pipeline to establish processing plants for both in the State.
The Governor Okezie Ikpeazu led Government through the Agric ministry has also procured mechanized farming equipment, being leased to Abia farmers for seamless all year round farmland cultivation at affordable rates.
Fertilizers are critical in ensuring bumper harvests, as such, he subsidize fertilizers to the State farmers every farming season, coupled with extension services to enlighten farmers on the best and newest ways to boost crop yields.

In addition, following the payment of FADAMA 3 counterpart funds, no less than 300 young Abia farmers benefitted from N2.5 Billion Naira individual grant been part of the Farmpreneur: project of the World Bank.
With these result yielding efforts and reforms targeted at improving Agriculture in the State, increasing wealth, thus bettering the lives of Abians, our people should hinge their hopes of a better tomorrow on Dr. Ikpeazu in all spheres of governance.