Governor Returns To Rice Farming In 2015

Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State says he will return to rice farming after completing his second term in office in 2015.

Elechi made the declaration on Wednesday at Nguzu, headquarters of Afikpo South Local Government of the state, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) organised appreciation tour of the council.

Elechi said he had practised rice farming for 11 uninterrupted years before the call to public service made him to temporarily quit the venture.

“Despite the upheavals I encountered during those years, I persevered because the venture is both enjoyable and profitable,” he said.

According to him, the construction of three ultra-modern rice mills across the state is to modernise the produce which the state produces in large quantity.

“We choose the councils that produce rice most across the three senatorial zones for the citing of the mills.

“That is why we chose Afikpo South for the Southern senatorial zone of the state,” he said.

He commended the zeal and vigour exhibited by youths of the area and charged them to translate the attributes into meaningful purposes such as rice farming.

“You must not use such energy for thuggery and brigandage but for agricultural purposes that will benefit you and the society.

“The present quantity of rice harvested in the state will not meet the production requirements of the machines at the mills due to their sophisticated nature.

“The youths can help salvage this situation by massively embracing rice farming in order to boost its production.

“Increased production of the produce will enhance its availability and affordability, increase the income of farmers and ultimately motivate many people to embrace the venture,” he said.

Chief Nkama Nkama-Ude, the Chairman of the council, thanked the governor for citing one of the mills in the area and promised that the council would encourage mass participation in the venture.

“We will provide the necessary amenities and incentives that will ensure mass participation in the venture, especially by the youths,” he said.

He noted that the council had always assisted farmers to ensure increased production of food items through the provision of fertilisers, seedlings and other farm inputs, and credit facilities, among others.

“Apart from agriculture, we have followed the governor’s footsteps in the provision of infrastructure such as roads.

“We have also enhanced the wellbeing of the people in the area of education, health, and human development, among others,” he said.

Mrs. Julie Igwe, a rice farmer, called for enhanced incentives for rice farmers from relevant stakeholders to increase the crop production.