The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has today 31st March, 2021 inaugurated My Entrepreneurship Goals Programme (MEPG) Community Farm in Ituk Mbang, Uruan Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Glory Edet performed the flagging -off ceremony on behalf of the Executive Governor.
The Commissioner stressed that the current administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel would leave no stone unturned toward ensuring that more youth embrace agriculture.
“The Governor wants everyone to go back to agriculture. He believes that it is only through agriculture that we can reduce poverty in the society, that if the youths start cultivating, that they would not lack anything. So, the state government will continue to support young farmers in the state”, she said.
While lauding the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Marketing and Brand Management, Mr. Ime Uwah for successfully interpreting the Governor’s entrepreneurial policies, Dr. Edet promised that the State Government will continue to provide a serene environment for agriculture to thrive in the State.
She urged beneficiaries of the project to make good use of the opportunity, promising that her Ministry would provide the needed technical assistance and professional guidance to enable them succeed.
Earlier, in his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Marketing and Brand Management, Mr Ime Uwah stated that the Ibom Community Farm Project is an initiative geared towards encouraging and mobilizing youths’ interest and participation in Agriculture.
Uwah further described the Ibom Community Farm Project as an innovative agro-revolution whose direct and immediate impact will be a strong and meaningful contribution towards the food sufficiency drive of the state government.
The Governor’s Aide also stressed that the Ibom Community Farm Project will be contributing to Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda in the area of Agricultural development, noting that the Directorate Of Marketing and Brand Management’s interest in the project is to drive youths’ involvement in Agribusiness while showcasing the resourcefulness and the natural resources of Akwa Ibomites.
Goodwill messages were received from the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey who was represented by the chairman House Committee on Agriculture, Hon Asuquo Nana,
Chairman of Uruan Local Government Council, Surv. Iniobong Ekpenyong, the SSA to the Governor on Youth Matters, Mr Aniefiok Iwaudofia, Chairman of All Farmers Association, Mr. Bassey Inwang, Special Assistant to the on Entrepreneurial Development, Mrs Meflyn Anwana, a representative of Ibom Fadama Community Bank, amongst others.
The Ibom Community Farm Project is a 15 hectares vegetable plantation, shared among members of a farming community which comprises Participants of the “My Entrepreneurship Goals Programme” (MEGP), as well as other youths who indicated interest in joining the community.
A total of 47 farmers will have access to 139 plots of 1000 square meters each. In the first instance, crops cultivated will include Okra, pepper, pumpkin, water leaf, watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes.
