20 THINGS PASTOR UMO ENO WILL DO IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

Success they say is contagious, and Pastor Umo Eno believes that in order for him to succeed, Akwa Ibom people must first be successful. To ensure this success, the pathfinder has mapped out plans and strategies for the realization of agricultural revolution in the State.

I crave your indulgence as I meticulously walk you through the 20 things Pastor Umo Eno will accomplish in the agricultural sector upon resumption of office as the 5th democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State:

1. Pastor Umo Eno will organize a soil test in each of the 31 Local Government Areas to identify crops suitable for each soil, and youths in the area will be mobilized and supported to be part of the scheme.
2. He will develop full value-chains for the cultivation and production of major crops in the State using farm settlement schemes.
3. Pastor Umo Eno will support extensive and intensive agriculture by boosting productivity in crop farming, fisheries and animal husbandry.
4. He will promote access to Agricultural Credit Facilities through lbom FADAMA Microfinance Bank and other agricultural credit banks.
5. In line with his inclusiveness plan for the people, Pastor Umo Eno will encourage the participation of women and youths in agribusiness.
6. He will provide adequate technical support, including extension services and capacity building through a revamped Akwa lbom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP).
7. In order to equip citizens and farmers with the necessary agricultural skills and knowledge, Pastor Umo Eno will establish a College of Agriculture in Akwa Ibom State.
8. To facilitate self-sufficiency in food production, his administration will provide off-taker incentives and access to markets for both raw materials and processed products.
9. He will see to the invigoration of agriculture extension services to help farmers with enlightenment on modern farm techniques and improved seedlings.
10. His administration will adopt mechanized farming, as well as assist both local and commercial farmers with farm implements, modern technology and new farm techniques.
11. The seasoned entrepreneur will explore all available avenues to assist large scale farmers with funds and help small scale farmers with inputs and extension services.
12. In order to ensure the preservation of crops and farm produce, Pastor Umo Eno will build storage facilities to avoid wastages.
13. To protect investments in crop farming from the ravages of open grazing of animals, his government will empower those who may wish to go into ranching.
14. His administration will stimulate the economy of the costal communities by bringing back the relegated fishery business. This will be achieved by working through cooperative societies to ensure the provision of necessary facilities like boats, outboard engines, fish trawlers, gears, fish processing plant, and storage facilities through a beneficial agreement.
15. Pastor Umo Eno will put up a fertilizer plant in in Akwa Ibom in order to grow and boost our agricultural potential and serve as great relevance to the settlement scheme.
16. Pastor Umo Eno believes agriculture can serve tourism purposes and for that, he intends to open a Songhai Farm and christen it Ibom Integrated Farm and make it a tourist location.
17. Pastor Umo Eno will invest in Akwa Palms and ensure that every family has access to the Tenera hybrid seedlings to plant and harvest palm fruit bunches within 24months. Based on projections, Akwa Palm will have the capacity to employ up to 1000 youths.
18. His administration will reposition agriculture as the mainstay of the State's economy by creating a market for farmers where their goods would be bought by the government and exported out.
19. To mitigate exorbitant food rate and foster good health, Pastor Umo Eno will ensure food sufficiency and improved nutrition.
20. V=With the understanding that agricultural revolution cannot be achieved without farmers, Pastor Umo Eno will make farmers stakeholders in the economic renaissance project.

Indeed, with Pastor Umo Eno, the realization of agricultural revolution will not be a far unrealistic cry, but a reality that is already staring us in the face.

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