Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has lamented that small holder farmers who form the backbone of food production still face the challenges of access to finance, modern farming techniques, extension services and reliable markets.
He said this on Thursday while flagging off the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) program.
Otti, who was represented by his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, assured Abia farmers and development partners in agriculture of his administration’s total support for food security and sufficiency.
He said that the initiative was aimed at transforming agriculture, strengthening rural economy and improving the livelihoods of hardworking small holder farmers in Abia.
Otti disclosed that his State had fulfilled its counterpart funding obligations.
He expressed joy that the AUDA-NEPAD programme would address the gaps by equipping Abia farmers with new knowledge and technologies, improving productivity and food security, enhancing incomes and reducing poverty in communities.
Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture, Cliff Agbaeze said that the programme would uplift small holder farmers through the provision of modern improved inputs, training, among others, to enhance productivity and cut post harvest losses.
Agbaeze noted that a total of 17,000 households are targeted for support across the 17 LGA of the state with the pilot scheme having 1,000 farmers.
Small holder farmers deserve access to finance, reliable markets – Otti
