The Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Sunday Basil Nwankwo, on Thursday, officially launched the 2024 farming season in the area. The landmark event which also featured the flag off of the distribution of one hundred palm seedlings to Primary and Junior Secondary schools across Ikwo LGA for palm plantation was part of the Chairman's Legacy initiative to revitalize Agriculture in Ikwo Noyo Clan.
Over Two Hundred Farmers and selected stakeholders received improved farm inputs such as rice, habicites, maize and a bag of fertilizer each to support their farm work.
Flagging off the farm inputs distribution exercise, the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Princess Nkechinyere Iyoku, commended Barr. Sunday Nwankwo for such life touching initiatives, which will further boast agricultural activities and food production in the State. The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo, charged beneficiaries of the inputs to make effective use of it for optimal output. She also joined the Council Boss to demonstrate the importance of the improved agricultural inputs and mechanized farming practices, especially ploughing.
In his remarks while flagging off the Schools Palm Plantation Program at Urban Primary School Ndufu Echara, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Paul Awo Nwobashi commended the chairman for his innovative efforts in education and agricultural sectors. He noted that the historic restoration of Palm Plantation in public Schools was the first of it's kind in the state, and called on other LGAs to emulate from Ikwo Council Boss who have set the pace for others to follow.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Ikwo Council Boss, Hon. Barr. Sunday Nwankwo, expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for his support under the "The People's Charter of Needs," mantra, which emphasizes on agricultural revitalization. He thanked the invited guests and people Ikwo Noyo Clan for their presence, stressing that the event was to formally unveil his vision of "Subsistence Aggressive Farming in Ikwo. He further explained that the Initiative was to ensure that every household in Ikwo Noyo Clan has a farm in order to combat poverty and ensure food sufficiency and it's attendant food security.
"The palm seedlings for Palm Plantation in Primary Schools and Junior Secondary schools, would help mitigate climate change, enhance environmental aesthetics, and boost the socio-economic development of the School system. We shall kick off with the distribution of 100 palm seedlings to all the schools across Ikwo LGA. The headmasters and Principals of Junior Secondary Schools will collect for their schools."
In their remarks and goodwill messages, Chairman of the event, Chief Barr. Okeagu Ogada, Elder Chief Stephen Orogwu who spoke on behalf of former Council Chairmen, Dr. Ndidi Enerest Ejem on behalf of DC Coordinators, NUT Chairman, CAN Chairman, APC Chairman and All farmers Association Chairman in Ikwo LGA, among others praised the chairman and people of Ikwo Noyo Clan for their enthusiastic participation. They emphasized the importance of irrigation farming, given Ikwo's advantage of having a steady-running river along its boundaries.
Other distinguished guests who attended the flag off ceremony included traditional rulers, public office holders at the State and Local Government levels, current and former leaders of Ikwo Noyo Clan, womenand youth groups , teachers, Town Union Presidents, farmers among others.
Highpoint of the event was an expository lecture on improved best agricultural practices by Dr. Darlington Igwe, an Agricultural Rice Production Officer from INFAD Value Chain, Ebonyi State, who educated the people on modern agricultural practices, focusing on rice, cassava, maize, and palm plantation. Others were the distribution of farm inputs. Others were official launch of Ikwo farming season and several thought-provoking addresses, marking a pivotal moment in Ikwo's agricultural and educational development.
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