Akwa Ibom State Government is set to launch an Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company to help farmers access modern farming machines at subsidised rates, promote mechanised farming, increase food production, and support large-scale agriculture across the state.
Governor Pastor Umo Eno disclosed this while speaking with Government House Correspondents shortly after inspecting the progress of work at the facility located at Ekpri Nsukara in Uyo. The governor expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction and commended the contractor for the progress made so far.
According to him, the establishment of the leasing company forms part of his administration’s efforts to modernise farming practices and strengthen agricultural productivity in the state.
“There is a lot of improvement on the work done here to get the company kick-started in earnest. The contractor in fact has given her word that the project will soon be inaugurated, and I hold her to that,” the governor said.
He explained that the initiative is designed to encourage farmers to embrace large-scale farming by providing easier access to modern agricultural equipment that many farmers cannot afford individually.
Governor Eno noted that the project is also aimed at boosting farmers’ earnings while ensuring greater food sufficiency across the state.
“The farming season is here again, and we are putting everything in place for this project to function optimally. There are over 25 tractors with tracking devices, and two low-beds in readiness for the agriculture programme,” he said.
The governor further stated that the equipment would be leased to farmers across the state at subsidised rates to enable them to carry out farming activities more efficiently.
“What we intend to do here is to lease these equipment to our farmers across the State at subsidised rates so that they can make use of them for improved farming productivity in the State. These farming equipment range from ploughs, harvesters, to lots of others that will help them improve,” he added.
Governor Eno emphasised that mechanising agriculture remains a key priority for his administration as it will help farmers increase crop yields, reduce labour challenges and improve profitability.
He also spoke about the state government’s ongoing tree crop revolution programme, explaining that preparations have already been completed for the initiative to commence with the onset of the rainy season.
“The nursery of the palm tree crop seedlings has been put in place; the necessary enumeration of farmers has been done throughout the State, and in the next two weeks, the seedlings will be distributed to farmers for appropriate planting across the State,” he said.
The governor urged farmers in the state to take advantage of the various agricultural programmes being introduced by the government to improve productivity and expand their farming operations.
Those present during the inspection included the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor; Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof Eno Ibanga; Commissioner for Information, Hon Aniekan Umanah; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, Pastor Imo-Abasi Jacob; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agric Business, Pastor Godwin Ukwat.
