Pix: Prince Bassey Inwang, State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter
In a bid to bolster food security within Akwa Ibom State and beyond, farmers have received a clarion call to align with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda. This directive was articulated by Prince Bassey Inwang, the State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), during a recent one-day training session held at the AFAN Headquarters in Uyo.
During the training, Prince Inwang emphasized the importance of the ARISE Agenda in enhancing agricultural productivity. The session aimed to equip over one hundred farmers with contemporary agricultural techniques, covering a diverse array of topics including upland rice and oil palm cultivation, yam miniset cultivation, organic pesticide production, cucumber and tomatoes cultivation, orange-fleshed potato cultivation, and organic poultry production.
Expert resource persons, drawn from experienced practitioners within the state, facilitated the training. Among them were Pastor Mrs. Martina Umanah, Mr. Sylvester Edem, Comrade Boniface Udom, Mr. Alphonsus Nyong, Prince Bassey Inwang, Comrade Vincent Bitrus, and Dr. Susan Nelson.
The training sessions, which incorporated hands-on practical exercises, were offered free of charge. This gesture underscored AFAN’s commitment to keeping farmers updated on the latest agricultural methodologies without imposing financial burdens.
Expressing gratitude, beneficiary farmers such as Mrs. Ekeobong Daniel, Apostle Okpoh, Mr. Victor Akpan, and Mr. Okon Essoh lauded AFAN for its continuous efforts in enhancing their skills. They pledged to apply the knowledge acquired during the intensive training in their agricultural endeavors.
The event was overseen by Samuel Enoh Akpan, the Head of Media for AFAN Akwa Ibom State Chapter. This initiative signifies a collaborative effort towards fostering agricultural sustainability and food sufficiency in the region.