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Akwa Ibom Begins Onions Cultivation (Photos) - Edoman - 02-01-2021
AKWA IBOM MOVES TOWARDS MASSIVE ONIONS CULTIVATION
By Mercy Udoh
Governor Udom Emmanuel's drive towards food sufficiency and production of staple foods in Akwa Ibom has further been boosted with the cultivation of Onions and specialized trainings of youths in cultivation of onions, tomatoes and other vegetables in the state.
Coming on the heels of a recent scarcity of onions in the country, the state government has set out to cultivate one million stands of onions plants in addition to other vegetable crops in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet while fielding questions from newsmen in Uyo disclosed that over 100 youths have been trained so far in onions cultivation for knowledge transfer as the government is poised to expand the onions farming across the entire state.
"Since creation, this is the first time we are planting onions in Akwa Ibom, God has used Governor Emmanuel to bless the state in terms of Agriculture beyond human expectations.
Referring to the onions fields at the Ibom Green House along Airport Road and at Ebughu Anwa-Okobo, she explained, "we tried cultivation of onions in open field and the output was marvelous based on that the Governor directed the ministry to plant more onions.
"Soon Akwa Ibom won't have to buy onions from the north, we started planting few weeks ago and we will harvest after 3-4 months time, we are doing it sequencially."
She also explained that Governor Emmanuel had approved a Microfinance Bank to be commissioned to enable farmers, cooperate bodies that are registered with the ministry have access to loans and other financial assistance.
Speaking on training of farmers, Mrs Edet urged interested persons to contact the Ministry of Agriculture as they will be trained on onion cultivation and crop technology while stating that cassava farmers are not left out.
She further stated that there will be continuity in terms of Agricultural development even after the tenure as the knowledge gain can never be lost.
"In Agriculture we depend on practicals that is why we train people and make them practice so that even when a tenure ends the ministry and farmers will continue their work.
"Governor Emmanuel in his wisdom created Agric Investment Directorate which monitors and evaluates the level of Agricultural development, there is provision for sustainability," she noted.
The Agriculture Boss hinted that before the first week of March, the Ministry will give out maize and other farm inputs to farmers for the new planting season.