Enugu govt re-introduces school farming, says Adviser

October 17, 2012 17:52

Audio attached

Enugu govt re-introduces school farming, says Adviser

NAN-H-105

Farming

Enugu, Oct. 17, 2012 (NAN) The Enugu State Government is to re-introduce school farming in all public primary and secondary schools in the state, an official has said.

 

The Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on Agriculture, Mr Victor Agbo, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.

 

Agbo said that the ministry of agriculture would visit the schools to promote farming.

 

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``We are going to go to some schools and promote agriculture and return farming. When I was in elementary school, we had school farm, when I was in secondary school, we had school farm.

 

``It gave us the fresh insight of what growing food is all about. So we are introducing agriculture back into school so our children will start early to know the importance of food production.’’

 

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On dry season farming, the special adviser said it was already in existence but regretted that some of the dams in state of disrepair.

 

According to him, there are six dams in the state with three in existence at Uzo Uwani and three under construction in Ugbawka, Akpugo and Aninri.

 

``The Enugu State Government is already working with a company from the United States that is going to repair all those dams so that we have enough water to reach farmers.’’

 

Agbo said that with synergy with the Federal Government, the state would expand dry season farming, adding that the state had enough ground water to support irrigation farming.

 

He also said that the state had already introduced 21 green cities in all the 17 local government areas with a view to locating farm settlements.

 

He said the ministry had located land for the project in Akegbe Ugwu, Nike, Aninri and Isiuzo, adding that some farmers had already been trained to man the project.

Agbo listed other agricultural projects in the state to include the Songhai initiative, poultry, piggery and fish farming.

 

``These are efforts by the state government to ensure food security in the state.’’

 

Agbo urged the people not to be discouraged by the flooding that destroyed farms in the country, assuring that in spite of the disaster, there would be bumper harvest next year. (NAN)

MNA/MVO/MSAD

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