The Akwa Ibom Government has begun distribution of coconut seedlings to public secondary schools as part of its initiative to ensure food sufficiency in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor, who flagged off the project at Etoi Secondary School in Uyo on Thursday, urged the people to continue to support the initiative.
Offor said that the distribution was approved by Gov. Udom Emmanuel to replace the coconut palms in the schools that were affected by bad weather, soil or other inhibiting factors.
“Agriculture is subject to climatic, soil or other inhibiting influences. That was why Gov. Emmanuel approved this programme to accommodate those schools that had challenge.
“These had hindered the survival or proper growth of the coconut palms. This is a way of replacing the palms,” the commissioner said.
Offor said the coconut oil factory recently established in the state required raw materials, hence the establishment of coconut plantation and distribution of the seedlings to schools and local government areas.
According to her, coconut is used for confectionary, medicine, automobile and it is known to have 285 benefits.
She said its value explained why government had focused on growing of coconut in Akwa Ibom for the present and future benefits.
Offor commended Etoi Secondary School for ensuring that more than 80 per cent of the coconut grown in the school in 2021 were doing well, urging other benefitting schools to emulate it.
The commissioner said that distribution of the seedlings would be done across the three senatorial districts of the state.(NAN)
