From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State government has lauded The Sun Media Foundation for its care of women farmers in the state and bringing their challenges to limelight.
The state Commisioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Ngozi Felix made the commendation in Umuahia during a one day sensitisation programme the Foundation organised for Women farmers in the state.
Represented by Mrs. Chinyere Nwogwugwu, a director in the Ministry, the Commissioner said but for the Foundation, activities of the women farmers and the challenges they are facing could have remained unknown.
She disclosed that the present administration in Abia State was all out to make the lots of women better in all spheres of life.
The Commissioner told the Women farmers that the Dr. Alex Otti’s administration through her Ministry was doing everything possible to ensure gender equality in the state.
She urged the women farmers group to register their organization with the Ministry as to be able to benefit from whatever largesse the government would be giving out.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Environment represented by Obinna Onyebuchi regretted that it was as a result of neglect by past administrations in the state in the area of flood, the state became prone to erosion.
She expressed joy that the present administration has come to remedy the situation, adding that at present, three erosion sites were being tackled in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze said the present administration in the state was one that recognises the role of women as agents of development, adding it was for this reason Dr. Otti has appointed many women in his administration.
Agbaeze said as Labour Party government, Otti’s administration was working to transmit the state from a mere consumption to production economy.
The SA disclosed that out of 3,620 square kilometres land for agriculture in Abia, only 387 farm lands have been cultivated.
He said the scenario was going to change as the present government was aiming to transit Abia from a subsistence farming state, to that of a commercial production one.
“With the involvement of foreign investors in the agric sector of the state, all the forests kidnappers made their hideouts, would be cleared for farming.”
Earlier, executive director of the Foundation, Victor Emereuwa said the Foundation is located within the urban settlement, but carries out its activities in the rural areas.
Giving reason for this, Emereuwa said it was so as to easily get in touch with government officials and then serve the rural women farmers better.
The Foundation’s ED said the South Eastern part of the country has been worst hit by gully erosion as 3,500 erosion sites had been discovered in 10 states of the region.
He said major aim of the Foundation was to relocate women from farm lands that have been destroyed by erosion, reclaim such lands and provide funds to women farmers to expand the frontiers of their businesses.
While promising to present a charter of demand to the state government on behalf of the farmers, Emereuwa disclosed he would be meeting with the state governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly for sustainability of the project.