Agric requires adequate funding in Imo – Perm Sec

As the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, what would you say the ministry has achieved so far?I came over to the Ministry of Agriculture in June, 2013, but unfortunately when I came here, all activities of the ministry were down. The governor had earlier charged me to go to the Avutu Poultry, in […]

As the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, what would you say the ministry has achieved so far?
I came over to the Ministry of Agriculture in June, 2013, but unfortunately when I came here, all activities of the ministry were down. The governor had earlier charged me to go to the Avutu Poultry, in Obowo LGA of the state and see how it can be revived. After my visit to the place up to three times, I came up with a report of estimate of what it would cost government to revive the place.
In the proposal, I suggested to the governor that the place requires about 12,000 chickens, which shall be ready for consumption by November this year. I submitted the proposal to the governor but up till now, the proposal has not been implemented and since it has not been funded, there was nothing we could do in this regard until the recent appointment of General Manager of Imo Poultry.
I have the hope that the GM will be able to put the poultry back to life. But with the little impress the ministry receives from government, we have been able to bring in little number of birds at Nekede in Owerri West LGA, which when they mature this Christmas period would serve Imo people.
However, of primary interest, when I took over as permanent secretary Ministry of Agriculture, the ministry was having problem with the Nekede community, the owners of the land where the former Imo Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) was situated. It went moribund and was taken over by Shangah, which also functioned a little and could not survive and was taken over by Agro Nova. This is a place the ministry was running prior to Governor Ohakim’s regime and if the present government can come in and fund it, it could be utilised. The entire premises suffered demolition by the community with the intention to take back their land. The community almost vandalised all the government facilities such as buildings, the fence, and palm seedlings among others until we ran to the governor for intervention.
Government quickly set up a committee that looked into the issue and in the end the matter was resolved and the ministry has gone back to the place replacing those facilities that were destroyed. But unfortunately, the in-road they made into the place was left open for intruders, but at least, we have been able to stop further encroachment by the community.
To what extent has the palm for palm programme achieved its purpose in the state?
On the palm for palm, the vision behind the programme by the governor is to return Imo State back to palm production and as the primary producer of palm for the entire country, which will take Imo to the global level. Those who came with the purpose of planting the palms were given some seedlings. The Ministry of Agriculture has raised 250,000 seedlings, which we gave out to the people. The Federal Government under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, has also raised about 55,000 seedlings. So, we have a lot for those who care. The idea is to make sure we have enough palms that would replace the ones at Ada Palms when they grow old.  Ministry of Agriculture is making sure the palm seedlings are sustained.
Government has already doled out N300,000 each to the 637 communities in the state to start the project in their farms. If the 637 communities develop one hectare of palm, Imo in the next few years would indeed become tops among other producing states.
It seems the ministry is only interested in palm seedlings, or what other areas does the ministry consider important?
No, there are other seedlings involved. We are working in tandem with the federal government. Recently, the federal government gave to Imo State 6,000 banana suckers, out of which we gave some to Imo Polytechnic Umuagwo, while we took some to the farmers. We also have cashew, cocoa, numbering 10,000 in line with other crops. About cassava, especially with the integrated community farm project, which will be replicated in all the communities, every farmer is to develop a hectare of land for mixed crops that would encompass cassava, cucumber, carrots.
The idea is that if every community develops the land for these crops, Imo State would stop depending on others for food.
The governor has even gone to the extent of bringing in a consultant known as Trux International from South Africa that would be involved in training Imo youths on intensive poultry production at Achara Ugbo.
The training would start before the end of the year and the essence is to enhance poultry production in the state.
How do you feel about this year’s crop harvest?
With what I saw at Amurie Amanze, I think am encouraged with the large production of crops and I believe the same is applicable to other communities and local government areas in the state. The size of yam, plantain, and their quantity are encouraging. I am sure the next crop harvest season would witness more output.
How would you describe government attention to your ministry?
Well, the governor is trying, and you know that the Ministry of Agriculture is an area which if you don’t put in money you cannot succeed.
Out of our meagre imprest we receive from government, we were able to raise 500 birds against this December. I see my staff as being idle because of lack of support by government.  We have other areas that need both financial and human attention but we cannot do anything if the resources are not there.  The ministry can do wonderfully if adequately funded.