The Ebonyi government has taken a bold step towards realizing its agricultural goals by inaugurating a committee dedicated to agricultural practices. The committee, composed of key stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, donor agencies, private-sector investors, and farmers, is tasked with achieving set objectives in the agricultural sector.
During the inauguration on Monday, the committee’s chairman, Sunday Ituma, who also serves as the State Programme Coordinator of the Federal Government of Nigeria/International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver on its mandates.
“We will work closely with the state government to understand its agricultural targets, and each stakeholder will contribute their expertise to devise solutions to meet those targets,” Ituma explained. “Collaboration and synergy between stakeholders will be prioritized, as we believe that pooling our strengths and resources will enable us to achieve our common goals.”
Ituma emphasized that the committee will align with Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s vision of practical agriculture, ensuring that the benefits of governmental policies and programs are accessible to all. He added, “The people will be the ultimate beneficiaries as they would equitably access governmental policies and programmes.”
Speaking at the inauguration, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nkechinyere Iyioku, expressed the government’s delight at the establishment of the committee, highlighting previous unsuccessful attempts to create similar bodies in the past. Iyioku affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture’s activities through the committee.
“Collaboration between implementation agencies, both public and private, is crucial for efficient and cost-effective development,” Iyioku stressed. “This collaboration offers inherent benefits, including the sharing of ideas, pooling of resources, and achievement of collective goals.”
Dr. Ben Odoemena, the Chief of Party of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Extension Activity, applauded the Ebonyi state government for establishing the committee. He urged stakeholders in the agricultural sector to seize the initiative and create a platform for discussing ways to make agriculture more sustainable, drawing inspiration from developed countries’ practices.
As the committee sets out to execute its responsibilities, farmers like Mrs. Jane Okpo have advised the government to ensure its continuity beyond the inauguration. By safeguarding the committee’s longevity, the government can reinforce its commitment to achieving agricultural success in Ebonyi state.
NAN
