Ebonyi state’s administration has kick-started a committee geared towards agricultural activities as part of its strategic agricultural goals.
The committee’s Chairman, Sunday Ituma, who also serves as the State Programme Coordinator for the Federal Government of Nigeria/International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to meet its set objectives.
‘We will periodically liaise with the state government to ascertain its agricultural targets with every stakeholder proffering solutions to achieve such targets.’
‘There will be no competition among us but synergy will be promoted for effective collaboration.’
‘Individual projects have their developmental objectives but we would pool our strengths and resources to attain set goals,’ he said.
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He highlighted that the committee’s objective is to support Governor Francis Nwifuru’s agricultural campaign, centered on the practical aspects of agriculture.
‘The people will be the ultimate beneficiaries as they would equitably access governmental policies and programmes,’ he said.
The inauguration brought joy to the government, as stated by Nkechinyere Iyioku, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, who pointed out past failures in attempts to constitute such committees.
‘The committee will help in effective coordination of the ministry of agriculture’s activities and the government will support it to succeed.’
‘Development is more effective both in cost and programming when implementation agencies – public and private – collaborate.’
‘This collaboration has inherent benefits which include sharing of ideas, pooling of resources and achieving goals collectively,’ she said.
The Chief of Party for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Extension Activity, Dr. Ben Odoemena, expressed approval of the state government’s decision to inaugurate the committee.
‘We have to hope for tomorrow by taking control of the initiative as applicable in developed countries.
‘We should create a forum where key stakeholders in the agricultural sector will discuss ways of making it more sustainable,’ he said.
Farmer Mrs. Jane Okpo stressed the necessity for the government to preserve the committee’s longevity and prevent it from becoming inactive following its inauguration.
