In line with his administration’s ‘ARISE Agenda’ on agriculture, Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, has flagged-off the construction of Ibom Model Farms (IMF) at Ikot Edibon, Nsit Ubium local government area.
Speaking at the flag-off, the governor noted that the farm is the fulfilment of his campaign promise to Akwa Ibom people in the area of agriculture and its full value-chain.
He disclosed that the farm was conceived during his political campaigns because of his belief that the future lies in agriculture, adding that he had personally sent 31 people for training in Agriculture from his personal resources with another 31 currently undergoing a similar programme.
The governor who expressed delight at the fulfillment of the take-off of the project, stressed the need to look at agri-business as the new black gold.
He said contrary to the notion that agriculture is not profitable, major nations around the world make a lot of money from farming, adding that like Ibom Air, the farm will be managed professionally, without government interference.
Governor Eno who had earlier in the wee-hours of the day stopped at the site for inspection ahead of the flag-off, stated that the location was not because Nsit Ubium is his local government area, but because it was the first LGA to donate land with a customary Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
Earlier, the commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Offiong Offor explained that the farm will sit on 50 hectares of land, and is not only a farm for food sufficiency, but to create employment opportunities, serve tourism purposes, and a business hub modelled after the Songhai Farms in Porto-Novo.
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