Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has recently encouraged the Rivers people, especially women to find a way into agriculture in order to ameliorate the impact of food inflation and astronomical cost of living in order to better feed the state.
The governor emphasized that agriculture will be prioritized in the 2025 budget to achieve the government’s agricultural policies for the state. He noted that they abhor portfolio recognition shown through the agriculture policies of his administration as it’s fashioned in a way that merit would be accorded top priority.
Governor Fubara spoke when he received Rivers State Women of Women in Farming and Agro-Allied Support Network (WIFAASN) on a solidarity visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
Represented by the Rivers State Head of Service, George Nweake, Governor Fubara noted his administration’s agricultural policies geared towards easing the plight of the citizens which are waiting for implementation.
He said: “The agriculture policies of the government have already been fine-tuned, waiting for the time of implementation.
Governor Fubara emphasized the importance of agriculture in next year’s budget, stating that it will not be given to “portfolio farmers” but to those who have genuine farms. He emphasized that the government will not throw money around but will ensure that it reaches the right people.
Fubara highlighted the state’s enormous agricultural potential, citing oil palm production, fishing, and various farm produce. He encouraged the people to key into farming to ensure food security and transform the state.
The governor commended the organization for their resolve to venture into farming and urged them to put their house in order and reach out to the Ministry of Agriculture to incorporate them into the government’s agriculture initiative.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, thanked the organization for their visit and noted that the governor is working hard to develop the state’s agricultural sector. He name-dropped the special Agro Processing Zone Project, which will commence soon.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Roseline Adawari Uranta, emphasized the governor’s prioritization of agriculture, health, and education. She encouraged the women to always put the governor and his administration in their prayers to enable him to succeed.
Mrs. Glory Coker, the National Coordinator of Women in Farming and Agro-Allied Support Network (WIFAASN), stated that their visit was to inform the governor of their desire to go into mechanized farming to ensure food sufficiency. She solicited government assistance to achieve their goals.
State Coordinator of WIFAASN, Mrs. Ihuoma Eze, announced that the state chapter of the organization will be launched on July 20, 2024, and solicited logistics support for the program’s success.
