AK-CARES AGRIC SCHEME EXCITES UKANAFUN BENEFITING FARMERS
AK-CARES farmersβ empowerment programme, a special intervention scheme of the Umo Eno administration, has continued to spread to farmers in different Local Government Areas of the State, the latest being Ukanafun local government area.
Last weekend, members of the Afaha Famers Community Association in Ukanafun Local Government Area took turns to commend the process of the empowerment programme, with a commitment that the inputs will be properly used to boost food production in the State.
A registered member of the FCA and a goat farmer, Mr. Ubong Ebenezer, said that he was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so the empowerment is a welcomed development that will assist him back in food production.
βWe thank the State government and the World Bank for supporting us.
During COVID-19 we lost our animals. We are grateful that Government has remembered us. We will put the inputs to good use,β Ebenezer assured.
According to one of the beneficiaries, a pig farmer, Ofonime Peter, the Governor, having realized that farmers were seriously affected by the dreaded disease, came up with the idea to help farmers re-engage in farming.
Presenting the items to farmers at Ikot Etim, Ukanafun Local Government Area on Friday, the Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor said AK-CARES is an Akwa Ibom State government and World Bank partnership empowerment programme to alleviate effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
Offor, revealed that the day was for Afaha FCA, as the exercise will be carried out across Local Government Areas in the State to boost food production.
βI urge you to make good use of the inputs. Do not sell them. We will monitor the progress of your farms. Do well to inform the ministry about any challenge you may face in your farm, for possible assistance, she advised the beneficiaries.
Earlier, the Head AK-CARES, Result Area 2, Mr. Richard Sam, called on the beneficiaries to take full ownership of the farm inputs by giving their farms the required attention, bearing in mind that a Third Party will visit their farms without notice to assess the outcome and performance.
In his remark, the Member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. Emem Udom, said the present administration is committed to the empowerment of the populace.
Udom, who appreciated the State government, and the World Bank for the gesture, solicited for more inclusion of the area in subsequent empowerment programmes.
The occasion featured the presentation of 1 buck, 2 does, 1 boar and 3 sows to beneficiaries by the Commissioner depending on the area of specialization of the farmer.
AK-CARES second phase empowerment scheme was flagged-off last week by the Akwa Ibom State Government in Uyo, the inputs will be distributed to FCAβs across the Local Government Areas.
