The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has pledged to revamp agricultural sector in the state, if elected governor next year.
Madumere made the pledge while fielding questions from newsmen at Port-Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State.
He described agriculture as the mainstay of any economy, saying that any state that is not self-reliant in food production and cannot feed its populace is a failed state.
He, however, acknowledged the need for re-invention of more functional policies to improve agriculture in the state, which he said is not at per with the rapid growth in population.
He therefore vowed to change the tide in the state having been able to troubleshoot the challenges being faced by farmers especially those involved in growing food crops.
He said that his team was fine-tuning a blueprint with which to help the growers increase their yields and also create markets and opportunities for higher value for their produce.
His words: “Agriculture is the mainstay of any economy including the world largest economies. If elected by the good people of Imo State, I have an approach that will make agriculture very attractive. Of course, we must find a way to make agriculture attractive to our people. Technology and well researched policy trust will change our status in agriculture and it is achievable.
“More importantly, we shall make farming as a delightful vocation because of the incentives and other values we are going to bring into it. I am happy these days when I hear our youths say; ‘I am a farmer.’ These ones need encouragement first.”
The deputy governor said that he was happy with the wealth of experience he has garnered in the course of serving as the deputy governor of Imo State.
He added that God has exposed him to the key contacts, with which he could leverage on to better the lots of the people of the state.
It will be recalled that Madumere’s interest in ensuring that agriculture is strengthened that he followed on FADAMA to attract FADAMA III (Additional Financing), which has kicked off in the state.
