By David Onwuchekwa
The foremost contender under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to represent Anambra South Senatorial district after the forthcoming by-election, Chief Akai Egwuonwu has already ex-rayed the agricultural potential in the zone.
He has equally marshalled out what to do to assist the rural farmers in all the seven Council Areas that make up the zone.
Chief Egwuonwu’s preparedness to intervene in agriculture is critical to the well-being of the people and the economic future of the zone.
It’s unarguable that agriculture remains the heartbeat of the rural communities. In Anambra South, farmers have shown resilience, dedication, and strength in cultivating key staples such as cassava, rice, maize, and a variety of vegetables. Yet, despite their immense contribution to food security, these farmers face significant challenges.
These challenges limit their productivity and threaten the sustainability of their livelihoods.
But Chief Egwuonwu has in this connection declared without mincing words that his intervention in agricultural initiative as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a matter of priority.
He has made a reference to the Anambra State government initiative like the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase-One, known as ATASP-1, which has made commendable efforts in empowering rural farmers with vital tools.
Chief Egwuonwu has promised to leverage that to ensure adequate distribution of mobile threshers, rice destoners, dryers, and handheld planters to enhance efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses in all the agrarian communities in Anambra South.
As a farmer and miller himself, the Senatorial hopeful has assured the constituents to introduce precision agriculture techniques to the local farmers.
Chief Egwuonwu has made the promise that given satellite data and smart farming practices, that these efforts will increase yields, reduce waste, and lay the groundwork for more sustainable agriculture.
He has insisted that farmers in the zone need to receive training of some sort based on the realization that a recent study revealed that seventy six percent of farmers in the district have never received formal training in soil erosion control.
As a knowledgeable farmer, Egwuonwu has emphasized the need for proper knowledge of terracing, cover cropping, and other conservation techniques, adding that lands are rapidly degrading.
He has also identified the growing disconnect between the youth and the agricultural sector, a worrisome trend that threatens the continuity of food production.
In all these Chief Egwuonwu has declared that there must be decisive action to reverse the trajectory.
Actions he has vowed to take as a Senator in charge are investment in capacity building, organizing consistent training programmes on sustainable and modern farming techniques.
To expand access to modern tools, ensuring every farmer, regardless of location, has the means to work efficiently, engage the youth, empowering them through initiatives like the Anambra Community Young Farmers Forum to be given prominence in Anambra South to take pride and leadership in farming.
Other actions are to provide financial support, making credit and subsidies accessible so that every farmer can afford the inputs they need.
Chief Egwuonwu has assured that farmers must be connected to markets by improving infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses.
He has as well taken a look at research and development, an area he said should be strengthened, working with scientists to provide locally adapted, high-yield, and pest-resistant crops.
He has, of course, admitted that the task ahead to achieve the level of promotion he has in mind for agriculture in Anambra South is great.
But has at the same time declared that the task is not insurmountable.
All Chief Egwuonwu needs at the appropriate time is the people’s mandate to represent them at the Senate and the rest will be history, and he has consistently reaffirmed his promise to stick to his “Social Contract” with the people of Anambra South.
The APGA Chieftain has a clear vision to uplift the rural farmers, transform the agricultural landscape, and ensure food security for generations to come.
That is the crux of the matter.
