AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT COMMENCES ENUMERATION OF FARMERS IN THE STATE

In a bold effort to establish a detailed database of farmers, the Government of Akwa Ibom State has commenced the enumeration of farmers across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.

Commissioner For Agriculture and Women Affairs, Dr Glory Edet said the directive to establish the number of farmers in the state came from the Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel to enable him further implement life touching agricultural policies in the state.

Dr Edet who spoke at the Akwa Ibom State Farmer’s Enumeration training programme for supervisors held in Uyo on Tuesday said the Governor’s vision is to make agriculture a key driver in the post Covid-19 recovery era.

Farmers’ enumeration is the process of establishing the number of farmers in a geographical location. The enumeration programme in Akwa Ibom State is coordinated by the Directorate of Agricultural Investments, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation.

Executive Director, Agricultural Investments, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, Pastor Umo Eno on the occasion harped on the advantages of having a dependable database.

He said the aim of farmers’ enumeration, is to gather statistical data of farmers, pin-point the needs and challenges of farmers in a geographical location and draw out solutions to their needs based on the acquired data, which will in turn support government in developing policy and programmes regarding food security.

Pastor Umo Eno noted that the enumeration exercise will commence next week across the entire state and enjoined all community leaders and farmers to cooperate with government to achieve what will be masterstroke in agricultural development in Akwa Ibom State.

The training programme which was handled by El-Kanis and Partners had different sessions including Practical and Interactive Sessions for the supervisors.

Also present at the event were the Chairman and members of the Technical Committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency led by Prof Edet Udo

Mr Gabriel Nkanang, a member of the technical committee said the absence of the database had accounted for several missed opportunities within the global market and stressed that such will be a thing of the past henceforth.