The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for increased private sector investment in the agricultural sector to complement the state government’s food sufficiency efforts.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Moses Essien, made the call during a working visit to Aviclaire Farms in Usung Idem, Abak Local Government Area. 

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom, commended the farm management for its strategic partnership with the NGO ECEWS to promote private-led agricultural growth. 

He particularly lauded the partners for adopting climate-smart initiatives, which he described as a transformative intervention for the state’s food system.

Essien noted that the practical climate-smart model had already generated employment for no fewer than 2,000 youths. 

“You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” the lawmaker said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, explained that the collaboration was designed to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming. 

The farm, which began operations with only four greenhouses, has expanded to 14 within two years and currently supplies high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities. 

Eyo added that the partners were exploring cooperative frameworks to help rural farmers and women’s groups adopt greenhouse technology.

In her remarks, the CEO of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, stated that the controlled-environment system ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields. 

She further noted that the farm had become a vital capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agribusiness trainees looking to modernise their farming techniques.

Source: NAN
Image Credit: Hon. Moses Essien