Anambra Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) tasks farmers on huge harvest this year

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Anambra State Chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has called on farmers in Anambra to put in stronger efforts in farming with a view to have a huge harvest this year capable to enhance food security in the State.

The Anambra PAN who made the call during their meeting at Awka the State Capital also called on the people in other sectors most especially traders, civil servants and the unemployed youth to embrace farming and combined it with other things they do either to cultivate or process food, livestock, fruit and vegetables no matter how little.

Speaking at the meeting the State Chairman Prince Ugochukwu Okpalaeke told the audience that the target of members of PAN in Anambra is to make available enough chicken and egg in the State saying that it is the earnest wish of the PAN members to see such targets among other farmers in the State.

The Chairman who is the founder and Managing Director of Eagle Food Processing Industries Umuchu, stated that going by his 38years experience in farming he wouldn't hesitate to advice everybody most especially the youth to embrace farming as occupation as according to him, there are much more opportunities it make it rich through farming than other businesses.

He explained "farming is a profitable venture, anybody who choose farming as occupation this time will not regret it because unlike those days when we had challenges due to government neglect and other negative factors that militated against farming, the situation has relatively changed because Government is now interested and there are innovations into Agriculture which have improved the farming system"

He said that he has enough evidence to argue that farmers can favorably compete with people in other businesses in terms making profits and investments noting that with Agriculture friendly Governor Willie Obiano and applicable innovations farmers have made remarkable progress in the last few years and that is why they now have produce Anambra Rice and export vegetable and yam from Anambra.

He said that the meeting was to issue certificate of identity to members of PAN and called on those who are into Poultry business but were yet to register with PAN to hurry up and do so to enable them queue in to know what happening among Poultry farmers in the State and the national level for their own interest.

Corroborating Prince Okpalaeke, a resource person Dr Innocent Ilozumba said that there are firms that provide innovative services to Poultry farmers such as assisting them in the areas of capacity building, training on how to reduce risk and how to produce and sell adding that people don't have to entertain fear of failure going into farming because the environment is conducive enough for success.

Ilozumba who is the Chairman of Agricola Integrated Services Limited said "there is nothing to fear about farming both in Poultry and other farming areas because we have experts who are ready to assist and get you into the innovative trend, that is what we do at Agricola and people like Prince Okpalaeke are there for you, so there is nothing to fear, people should come into farming because it is a wonderful business"

In his words Dr Augustine Emesim said that the issue of farming is vital in life especially this time when there is hunger and starvation due to poor state of the economy and insecurity noting that apart from making financial gain there is need for people to be self reliance on what they eat and drink.

Emesim on behalf of the group hailed Governor Obiano for his burning passion for the development and progress of farmers in the State commending the Governor for reappointing Hon Adam Mbanefo as the Commissioner for Agriculture in the State as according to him Mbanefohas done wonderfully well to move Agriculture to the next level in the State.