Akwa Ibom govt. distributes inputs to farmers – AFAN

The Akwa Ibom Government through its Ministry of Agriculture has commenced distribution of farm inputs to farmers across the state for the first planting season.

The State Chairman,  All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Bassey Inwang, disclosed this in an interview with the News Men in Uyo on Thursday.

Inwang said that over the years government had continued to assist farmers with inputs.

He said that the distribution was  done for the overall goal of achieving food sufficiency.

Inwang said that the distribution was done in all the three senatorial districts of the state.

“Farmers in the state waited for the rain to come, luckily three heavy rain came, farmers had since returned to cultivate the land in earnest.

“The state government through the Ministry of Agriculture flagged-off 2023 farming season and distributed farm inputs to farmers two weeks ago.

“They were distributed  by senatorial district,” Inwang said.

Inwang, who commended the state government for the support and assistance given to the farmers in the state said farmers still had a challenge of preparing the land.

According to him, land preparation is capital intensive and farmers have no fund to get tractors.

“Our major challenge is land preparations, we don’t have enough tractors and other machines to make the job easier.

“High cost of  farm inputs, fuel hike and destruction of farm crops by herdsmen are also part of the challenges” he said.

He called on farmers across the state to make good use of the rain by planting on time to expect bumper harvest this year.

Inwang also urged the government to give farmers access to loans and training on modern farming methods.