Asaba – A rice farmer, Mr Sylvanous Ejezie, has urged Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa to celebrate his affirmation as Delta governor by the Appeal Court in Benin by increasing investment in agriculture.
Ejezie, the Chairman, Rice Farmers Association, Delta State Chapter, said this while addressing newsmen in Asaba.
He said that farmers were hopeful that the Appeal Court ruling on the legitimacy of the poll which brought Okowa into power was good tidings to the agri-business sector of the state.
“As Commissioner for Agriculture, Okowa supported those of us that cultivate rice, especially at Omelugboma by setting up a borehole in the year 2000.
“That borehole is working and we have been utilising it for dry season farming and that has caused a noticeable increase in our harvest.
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“Our present challenge is how to get a tractor for use during land preparation and we are convinced with him as our governor that will be possible soonest,’’ he said.
Ejezie urged Okowa to support the State Agriculture Development Programme (ADP) with much gusto for effective coordination of agricultural activities in the state.
“We rice famers require more support to make us effective and efficient to increase our produce.
“The land area available for us to cultivate is more than 200 hectares but for paucity of funds and poor working tools only about 100 hectares are being cultivated,’’ he said. (NAN)