@Information Department IMHA
The Imo State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe has passed a motion urging the state government to direct the Ministry of Agriculture to source and procure improved and high-yield seedlings for Imo farmers in the state in preparation for a bumper harvest in 2025.
The Motion titled “Motion To Urge The Governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodinma CON To Direct The Ministry Of Agriculture To Immediately Source And Procure Improved High Yield Seedlings For Distribution To Farmers In Imo State Preparatory For A 2025 Bumper Harvest Season” was chiefly sponsored by the Member for Obowo State Constituency Rt. Hon. Barr Kennedy Ibe and Co-sponsored by six other members, namely
- Hon. Duru Iheonukara Johnson
- Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi
- Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri
- Hon. Chisom Ojukwu
- Hon. Uche Agabiga
- Hon. Clinton Amadi
Presenting the Motion, Hon. Ibeh insisted that it is their responsibility as lawmakers of Imo state to make laws for the good governance of the state and laws that do not translate for the well-being and welfare of the people of the state will not be considered as a good law.
” The rains are beginning to come, next thing is that the farmers would find their way into their farms to prepare for harvest season that comes later in the year making it necessary for the need of this high yielding seedlings,” he insisted.
According to the Obowo representative, the Nigeria Bureau for Statistics in 2019 has the record that about 70% of the Imo workforce is involved in agriculture, which means that 3.4 million of the 4.5 million population of Imo citizens are involved in Agricultural activities.
” If significant investments are made in these populations, we would have created wealth that would take the state all through the next year,” he maintained.
Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh stressed that the present state administration led by His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma has made a lot of efforts in promoting sustainable Agricultural development and reduction of poverty but deliberate sourcing of high-yield seedlings can improve crop yield and harvest in the state thereby reducing the cost of living and improving the living standards of the people in the state.
Speaking in support of the motion, the member for Ideato South Hon. Johnson Iheonukara Duru said the motion dwelled on hunger, which affects both the rich and the poor if not tackled. Citing the book of Genesis in the Bible which says there’s time for everything, a time to plant and a time to harvest, the Ideato South member said the time now is for planting because the rains are here with us hence the need to source and procure high yielding seedlings for farmers in the State.
According to the member of Mbaitoli State Constituency Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, there are yam seedlings that his people source for from Oguta during planting season because of their species. He advised that the government look towards Oguta in the bide to encourage local farmers as they source for high-yielding seedlings.
Other members who contributed to the Motion are :
- Hon. Samuel Ogbunikpa
- Hon. Chisom Ojukwu
- Hon. Dominic Ezerioha
- Hon. Ugochukwu Amuchie
- Hon. Gilbert Nwosu
- Hon. James Uba Esile
- Hon. Ernest Okechukwu Udeze
After so much deliberations without a dissenting voice, the Speaker Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe put the question that was unanimously agreed, “To Urge His Excellency the Governor To Direct The Ministry Of Agriculture To Immediately Source And Procure Improved High Yield Seedlings For Distribution To Farmers In Imo State In Preparatory For A 2025 Bumper Harvest Season.
The speaker directed the Clerk Chinelo Emeghara Esq to send the Resolution of the House to the Governor
