By Williams Odunze
The Imo State House of Assembly has urged the governor of the State ,Hope Uzodinma to embark on agricultural revolution through involving the 27 Local Government Chairmen and Ministry of Agriculture on compulsory farming to curb hunger in the land.
The resolution was reached following the motion moved by Hon. Kennedy Ibeh the member representing Obowo State Constituency in the Imo Assembly.
Presenting the motion,Hon.Ibeh posited that the collaborative effort of the 27 LGAs and the Ministry of Agriculture, embarking on different types of farming will stimulate increase in agricultural produce and enhance living standards of citizens of the State.
He noted that many countries of the world became economically reliant by venturing into agricultural revolution.
Adding that by so doing different methods of farming would initiated leading to production and exporting of many cash crops which will help to boost the economy.
He pointed out that the life wire of United States of American economy is agriculture, maintaining that despite her population, the country can feed her citizens and have more to export.
Hon.Ibeh further pointed out that most African countries have changed faces of their national economy through initiation of agricultural policies which have lifted their countries from economic doldrum to vibrancy courtesy of well thought out agricultural planning.
Citing Kenya, Ghana and Mauritius as example of African countries that have improved living standards of their citizens through agricultural innovation, the lawmaker said that he is of the positive view that if the State Government as a matter of police mandates all the various Local government Chairmen to engage in one agricultural production or the other, making use of the arable land for any kind of crop production ; the State will be better for it.
“Focusing on specific crop production in each Local Government will create the needed comparative advantages, enhance economic competitiveness among the Council Areas and thereby position Imo State better.
Increase in food production will lead to availability of food, reduced cost of living, improved living standards and enhanced economy for the State and her citizens”he maintained.
The Obowo Lawmaker further observed that before the discovery of Oil in 1956 that agriculture was the mainstay of the nation’s economy and was later relegated to the background following the advance of oil production in the country.
He enjoined his colleagues to lend their supports to the motion which he said will help reintroduce agriculture as one of the economic potentials for the state.
The motion which gained general support from members of the House was later adopted as the leadership of the house directed the clerk, Barr. Chinelo Emeghara to ensure the motion meets other necessary legislative actions.
