Unubi Youth Association Distributes over 900 Seedlings
By Emenike Ugochukwu, Awka
Unubi Youth Association, Nnewi South Local Government Area has distributed over 900 combination of economic tree seedlings to farmers in the community under the “Operation Farm To Feed Campaign” launched by the state government.
seedlings distributed during the program which took place at Unubi Community Square, included Bitter Kola, Guava, SourSop, Cocoa, Breadfruit and Orange.
Dr Forster Ihejiofor, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, who flagged off the distribution, commended the initiative aimed to boost productivity and improve livelihoods in the community.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, he said the state government was committed to expanding the operation Farm To Feed Campaign to ensure greater food security and economic sustainability of farmers.
While assuring of government commitment to sustaining the campaign including other intervention measures, support services and seedlings distribution, he added that the move was also a way of reinventing economic tree revolution started by Dr M.I Okpara back to the new generation.
According to him, economic trees hold immense potential to drive economic growth, enhance food security, secure future generations and promote Sustainability.
The prime promoter of the program, Bar Aguiyi Okechukwu Ezeani, who doubles as the Youth Leader of the community, described the initiative as a grassroots outreach effort aimed at encouraging mass participation in agriculture.
“Unubi land is fertile and blessed. Every space is a garden. Own one today and join this campaign to beat hunger and food crisis”
He explained that the exercise aligns with the state government’s agenda to strengthen agriculture through Operation Farm To Feed, pointing out that the program was conceived to ensure availability of at least three seedlings per household in the community.
Resource persons/ Agricultural Experts, Charles Okafor, Director, Market Garden, Ministry of Agriculture and Benedetto Obi, Aguata Zonal Manager, urged the recipients to maintain proper spacing, use organic manure, and apply soil enhancers correctly for optimal growth.
They educated the farmers on good agronomic practices to assist them in their farming endeavours and ensure improved yields.
“Without basic agronomic practices, we will not get the good result and yield we want from plants”
The technical experts, therefore, urged the farmers to demonstrate commitment to nurturing the seedlings responsibly for greater productivity and impact.
Contributing, the ASATU Youth State Coordinator and Lady Organiser, Onumah Akunnnia, added that the program marked a significant step toward the prosperity of the community’s economic tree production.
Narrating her personal experience on making huge sums of money from Bitter Kola business, she advised youths to follow the foot step of Gov Soludo and his wife by engaging in backyard farming, adding that “Oil money is in your backyard”
Some of the beneficiaries including Chinonso Udemba and Comfort Ochuba, appreciated the organisers for extending the seedlings to them, saying the seedlings would be of immense assistance to them.
While commending the organisers and the technical team, they expressed optimism that the gesture would have greater impact on them in the next five years.
Earlier, the team paid a courtesy call on the Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Francis Umennajiego Umeahazurume, who encouraged the natives to embrace the opportunity with enthusiasm and determination.
