Cross River Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Calabar, has distributed bags of fertilizers and feeds to Vegetable and Livestock Farmers Cooperatives as part of activities to mark the 2024 World Food Day celebration in the state.
The beneficiary farmers include, Anantigha Women Vegetable Farmers Cooperative New Airport road, Women Vegetable Farmers Margaret Ekpo International Airport Cooperative Atimbo, One Sky Fishing Farms under the Etayip - Ayip cluster group, off Jonathan By - Pass and the CADP farm Park Atimbo all located in Calabar Metropolis.
Each Farmer Cooperative received bags of MPK and Urea Fertilizer while the Livestock farmers were also given bags of feeds.
Addressing the farmers in their various Farms, the state Commissioner of Agriculture and Irrigation, Hon. Barr. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Sir Ekpe Bassey disclosed government plans to do everything possible to boost food productivity and enhance food security in the state hence the distribution of fertilizers and feeds to complement the efforts of food producers for bumper yields.
According to him, the visit was designed to encourage farmers to continue to produce more food for the people as the government is gearing efforts to accord Cross River state the status of the food basket of the Country by migrating from subsistent agriculture to commercial agriculture.
"Government decided to not only encourage but aid farmers with agricultural implements for increased yield, inline with the theme for this year's World Food Day."
In their responses, the President Anantigha Women farmers Cooperative, New Airport Road, Madam Monica Edet Umoh, President Women Vegetable Farmers Margaret Ekpo International Airport Cooperative, Mrs Janet Clement Udofia, Mr. Ndor Odey of One Sky Fishing Farms Etap - Ayip, Atimbo, as well as Agric Officer incharge, CADP, Mr Cyprian Ukam Ajah thanked, the state Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu and the Commissioner, ministry of Agriculture Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo for the donation which has created greater impact on their vocation.
The Ministry Staff and Farmers Associations in the Cross River state had embarked on a road Walk on Tuesday October, 2024, to raise awareness on the importance of engaging in farming activities.
The Road Walk which kicked off from the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters sensitised market women and the general public through Mary Slessor roundabout, IBB Way and Millennium Park terminating at the take off point, Barracks road Calabar.
Hannah Arikpo, Beagle News
