• Laments spending N200b buying food from Northern states
By Abbas Nazil
Imo State government has declared a state of emergency in the agriculture sector, aiming to curb the alarming trade imbalance that sees over N200 billion leave the state annually for food imports from Northern Nigeria.
This initiative, rooted in a broader agenda to boost food production and ensure food security, was announced by the Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chigozie Amadi, during a courtesy visit paid on him by the Digital Solutions (Digisol) project team in Owerri.
Among the visiting team were the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Professor Christopher Chiedozie Eze.
Receiving the team, Amadi highlighted a range of challenges plaguing agriculture in the state.
These include inflation, famine, drought, aging farmers, and low literacy levels among rural dwellers.
He stressed that the absence of digital technology and modern practices had further hampered progress in the sector.
Amadi emphasized the importance of integrating digital technologies into agriculture to make the sector more attractive, especially to the younger population.
He asserted that farmers hold a crucial position in society, warning that failure to support them adequately would lead to widespread hunger and a continued drain on the state’s economy.
The commissioner praised the ongoing partnership between the Imo State Government and UAES, noting that the deployment of digital tools could revolutionize farming, reduce dependence on food imports, and redirect financial resources to other developmental areas.
According to the Commissioner, the Digisol project is a significant component of the state’s strategy to modernize agriculture.
The project, now in its second phase, is designed to introduce farmers to sustainable farming practices and digital tools to combat the effects of climate change.
The project has already organized five workshops for farmers and selected three participants from each of Imo’s Local Government Areas for training.
Obowo, Ngor Okpala, and Nwangele LGAs are among the pilot locations. In addition to training, farmers are being supported with equipment such as grinding machines to add value to agricultural products like dry cassava.
Dr. Amadi also noted that the state has launched a complementary initiative, the “Skill Up Imo” program, to train farmers in basic computer literacy, thereby enhancing their ability to utilize digital farming platforms effectively.
He revealed plans for a statewide digital connectivity project to ensure easy access to the tools and resources needed for digital agriculture.
