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Mkpat Enin Local Government Council in Akwa Ibom has acquired 150 hectares of land for integrated farming in the state.
Richly endowed with fertile soil and favourable weather condition, the local government is one of the major food baskets in Akwa Ibom State.
Apart from farming being the main occupation of the people in the area, the local government area is also noted for fishing and food processing activities.
Ekanem Brown, the chairman of the local government said the council made this known to journalists, while also adding that the LG council is also developing a scale demonstration farm with irrigation facilities for the cultivation of various crops.
Among the crops to be cultivated include cucumber, ginger and plantains adding that consultations were on-going with investors that have indicated interest in the processing of plantain meals.
According to Brown, 10,000 suckers of plantain are being planted explaining that four factories to be involved in the processing of the plantain meal would soon be set up.
The local government chairman who said the council had adopted ‘strategic partnership’ in reaching out to investors, saying off takers were already available for the cucumber crops being harvested from the farm while more than 30 youths have been employed in the farm.
Brown who said the while the 150 hectares would be set aside for the cultivation of plantain and cocoa, cucumbers would be planted alongside ginger in a seven hectare land acquired by the council.
“I need to grow the local economy and we expect to rake in N7 million monthly from the seven hectare of farmland used for the cultivation of cucumber and other crops,’’ Brown said.
He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for creating an enabling environment which according to him has facilitated the establishment of the shoe factory and the integrated farms in the local government adding that discussions were on-going with the Bank of Industry to support the food processing programme.
Brown appealed to investors to partner with the local government for the expansion of the agricultural programmes to boost food production, create wealth and employment opportunities for youths in the area.
He said the agricultural programme has the capacity to produce food for the entire state and beyond while the shoe factory could feed the canvass/sandals/covered shoe needs of the state as well as in the south south region of the country.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo
