FOOD CRISIS - GOV ENO SAVES AKWA IBOM FROM FOOD CRISIS

The effective agricultural policies and programmes of the Governor Umo Eno administration has yielded results, with Akwa Ibom among the few States in Nigeria that will not be hit by food crisis later this year, a forecast has stated. According to the forecast released in Abuja by Cadre Harmonise Report, developed through collaboration among the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other partners, at least 26 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) risk food and nutrition crisis. Based on projections by the report, an estimated 33.1 million people could be affected between June and August 2025. The report identifies the 26 vulnerable States to include Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Taraba, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Benue, Cross River, Enugu, Edo, Abia, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kwara, Ogun, Lagos, Rivers and the FCT. This has become a major concern for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security which has vowed to utilize the report's findings to shape responses to food and nutrition security. However, the prioritization of agriculture by Pastor Umo Eno’s administration as encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda has saved Akwa Ibom State from the impending food crisis. Governor Eno has worked tirelessly with innovations and strategic investments in the sector in order for the State to achieve increased production in different value chains in agriculture. Evidently, agriculture has been given the needed attention by the administration of Governor Umo Eno. His administration is driving the implementation of proactive policies in the agricultural sector which are now paying off, even when some of the content of the blueprint in agriculture are still being implemented. Some of the policies and programmes that have made agriculture to succeed in Akwa Ibom State include the approval of the governor to set aside work free days known as farming days to enable civil servants to go to their farms, in order to increase food availability. In Akwa Ibom State today, a lot of people are involved in agriculture as the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is being constantly contacted by people for support on how to better their farms. There is a remarkable and measurable attitudinal change towards agriculture, especially with the governor's promise to reward those who key into agricultural production programmes. This has paid off for Akwa Ibom State. The governor directed that farmers in the State be given improved varieties of farm inputs, technical and financial support which has translated into improved yields and outputs and ultimately enhanced food availablity, accessibility and affordability in the State. In line with the ARISE Agenda of the Umo Eno’s administration over 2000 cooperative societies have been registered for the purpose of fostering agricultural enterprises. Also, through the AK-CARES and RAAMP initiatives, there is expansion and creation of new infrastructure and distribution of farm inputs to farmers, with the target of bumper harvest in the State. The list is endless. These are just the low hanging fruits. There are other long term programmes in agriculture in line with the governor's vision of food sufficiency. Such include the Ibom Model Farms that is coming up with the capacity to serve as training facility for farmers while feeding the people. More of such initiatives will sprout like mushrooms across the State. The bottom line is that the foresight of Governor Umo Eno has made Akwa Ibom State to avert hunger and food crisis remarkably. He insisted that the solution to food insecurity was that everyone must return to the farm. That call was generously heeded by Akwa Ibom people, and the world is seeing the result. Yet, this is a tip of the iceberg. More of the result of Governor Eno's fantastic programmes in agriculture will be seen in the nearest future. The truth is that this credible report and prediction by reputable organizations including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is a proof that the Umo Eno administration's policy and vision for agriculture is well thought out, foresighted and strategic. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, deserves commendation for the professional interpretation and implementation of the vision of the governor, which has now saved Akwa Ibom State from imminent food crisis in the country as predicted by experts through their study and report. Perhaps, it is just to add that the Ministry and all Akwa Ibom people amd residents must not rest on their oars, let the tempo be sustained and even surpassed in the coming days. Congratulations to Governor Umo Eno for standing out in agriculture through the governance compass of the administration, the ARISE Agenda. That is why your award as Governor of the Year by the Leadership Newspaper is well deserved. Kudos, inspirational leader.