EBONYI STATE FLAGS-OFF OF THE 2017 FARMING SEASONAT EZILLO RICE FARM

KEYNOTE ADDRESS AS WAS DELIVERD BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, HON. BARR. ORJI UCHENNA ORJI, DURING THE FLAG-OFF OF THE 2017 FARMING SEASON HELD AT EZILLO RICE FARM ON 6TH JUNE, 2017.*
PROTOCOLS:

I am pleased to welcome all of you to the flag-off of the 2017 farming season holding today at Ezillo Rice Farm. The event is an annual ritual that marks the beginning of planting activities for crop commodities in the state.
My special thanks goes to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE for his vision and road map in the sector of Agriculture.
The One-man One-hectare programme and the value chain initiative of the state government are the reasons for the unprecedented feats achieved under the present administration.
In Ebonyi state, we have identified crops of comparative advantage and commodities of export potentials. Mechanization system and the introduction of Dry Season farming have created the needed opportunity for Ebonyi state to continue to take the lead amongst agricultural states.
In this 2017 planting season, the state government has made robust plan to engage the farmers in gainful agricultural businesses that will change their lives and reposition the state as an agric economy. Rice production which is a core commodity in the state has gained monumental attention. Apart from strengthening the value chain, we have introduced best practices through capacity building. We inherited 2.5 tonnes per hectare yield, but today, we have average of 4.5 tonnes per hectare. Oil palm plantation, massive Cassava production and processing, Maize production and Cashew plantation will take the centre stage in this year’s farming programmes.
For us to achieve the desired goals and aspirations, we shall energize our synergy with the development partners. Today, we have FADAMA 111 Additional Funding, that have engaged 12,000 farmers for the 2017 Wet Season Rice farming and 3,000 farmers in 7 Local Government Areas for Cassava production. The Guys initiatives of FADAMA/FG will empower not less than 200 farmers and inject not less than 140 million into the economy of the state with huge multiplier effect on employment and wealth creation.

The IFAD Value Chain exploits in the 5 Local Government Areas particularly in rice production and processing shall be even more massive this year. 8500 farmers shall receive 50% matching grant under the One-man One-hectare programme of the state government. 2000 Cassava farmers have been proposed to receive 50% grant to cultivate Cassava. IFAD has also added value to our farming activity by constructing 25km road in IFAD LGAs and obtaining a “No Objection” to establish 3 No processing mills for Rice and Cassava. This is because the State government is paying the counterpart funds regularly.
We shall in this year strengthen our partnership with the Local Government Areas and Development Centres to ensure that our programmes are stepped down to the rural communities. We have introduced plantation system in our Local Government Areas and Development Centres, and shall start this June with Oil Palm plantation. Our target is to get every Local Government Councils and Development Centres to acquire 5 hectares for Oil palm plantation. Rice and Cassava inputs are to be distributed within 2 weeks from now while training on best agronomic practices will be held periodically to enhance proper farm management and yield.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I at this point ,place on record that we have tried dry season rice farming in Ebonyi state and it was fantastic and rewarding. We expect that the zeal you have shown in this wet season shall be replicated in the upcoming dry season. The government of His Excellency, Engr. (Chief) David Nweze Umahi FNSE FNATE has provided the new mechanization including tractors and bulldozers that will help in land preparation. Their services are available to all farmers within the state.
We shall today, flag-off land preparation through mechanization, distribution of rice inputs, oil palm seedlings among others to demonstrate to the farmers our readiness to support and encourage them.
The state government is committed to giving farmers the best of the varieties of inputs at subsidized cost. That is why today, the Governor has reduced the cost of the sale of fertilizer in Ebonyi state form N8,500 to N 5,500 and this will be made available to the farmers at the various Local Government Areas.
Government is ready to intervene to ensure that all arable lands in the state are put to use. Land secured by the Local Government Areas in 2016 is to be allocated to farmers across the state. All government owned farmlands have been approved to be allocated to farmers at N2, 000 per hectare as approved in the 2017 budget. We feel that farmland owned by public institutions should be allocated to interested farmers so that no land would be allowed to lie fallow.
As we pursue aggressive agricultural revolution in Ebonyi State, we invite all stakeholders to show commitment. We require the cooperation of the land owners, Community leaders and Traditional rulers.
I cannot end this address without thanking the Project Management Team (PMT) members headed by His Excellency, Barr. Eric Kelechi Igwe PhD, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State. Let me also thank the Council Chairmen and the hardworking staff of my Ministry for showing renewed spirit in Agricultural Agenda of the state.
Thank you for being part of this historic flag-off and God bless.
Hon Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources