By Emilia Equot
In a bold step toward food sufficiency and economic empowerment, the Executive Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Elder Sunday Festus Akpan has initiated a sweeping agricultural transformation through the cultivation of multiple high-yield crops on the ASSURED Model Farm at Ikot Akpan Essien.
Demonstrating a hands-on, results-driven approach, the Chairman’s farm currently features pumpkin, watermelon, tomatoes, pepper, and cucumber, positioning the council at the forefront of grassroots agricultural development in Akwa Ibom State.
The ASSURED Model Farm serves as a practical platform for modern farming techniques aimed at boosting food production, generating employment, and unlocking economic gains for local communities. This initiative is a key component of the Chairman’s ASSURED Agenda on Agricultural Development, which complements Governor Umo Eno’s broader ARISE Agenda.
Rt. Hon. Sunday Festus Akpan emphasized the long-term vision behind the initiative, noting, “We have commenced the second phase of this model farm, and we are expanding crop cultivation to drive productivity. We have acquired additional hectares of land to scale up agricultural activities across Oruk Anam.”
The project recently attracted the attention of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), whose team, led by Ogwuche ThankGod, visited the site for inspection and collaboration. He commended the initiative, stating, “The cultivation of improved crop varieties is a step in the right direction. It has the potential to trigger a positive agricultural transformation when fully adopted by farmers.”
With firm plans in place and community support growing, the Oruk Anam model farm is not just cultivating crops, it is cultivating a new era of prosperity, sustainability, and innovation in local governance.
