Hon Dr Foster Ihejiofor, Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Inaugurates Anambra Community Young Farmers Forum to Boost Food Security in the state
The Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Youth Wing, under the leadership of Comr. Ken Okoli, facilitates the establishment of Anambra Community Young Farmers Forum (ACYFF) to join Mr Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Farm-to-Feed initiative and the First Lady’s Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo Farm project.
The inaugural, which took place at the ASATU Secretariat Hall, Government House, Awka in the first general meeting of the year, marks a significant step towards enhancing food production and empowering young people in agriculture.
Speaking at the event, Comr. Okoli emphasized that the ACYFF was established to provide a hub for young farmers in Anambra State to leverage on to boast their farming activities, which will tackle rising food scarcity, increase agricultural output, and explore export opportunities.
He reaffirms ASATU Youth’s commitment to supporting policies that drive economic growth through sustainable farming.
The platform will form a cooperative for members and collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture. Membership of the platform is drawn from one person from each community as a coordinator.
Each community has a platform for young farmers. – Hon. Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, Commissioner for Agriculture, praised ASATU Youth for its proactive efforts in facilitating such a platform and pledged government support.
The Commissioner inaugurates the ACYFF and while Hon Casmir Orie is the State Coordinator, Comrade Enebeli Idowu and Comrade Ejim Ucheagwu are the Chairman and Secretary of the Advisory Council of ACYFF. – Hon. Emeka Iloghalu, MD FABDA, assured the forum of continued assistance from his agency, emphasizing the economic potential of fish farming as a lucrative venture. – Mr. Chinemerem Oguegbe, a business consultant, who spoke at the event, encouraged young farmers to embrace agriculture as a business to enhance profitability and market competitiveness. Mr Jerry Ngene, the promoter of Youths for Agricultural Revolution Initiative, advised the members of the ACYFF to take the opportunity given to them very seriously and build brand from it. The inauguration comes as Anambra State intensifies efforts to boost agricultural productivity and self-sufficiency.
Stakeholders believe that empowering young farmers through ACYFF will play a crucial role in achieving these goals. The event also featured the *inauguration of 12 newly elected Community Youth Leaders, who have become full active members of the association.
The PG of Asatu Youth presented the Compendium of Anambra Community Role Models and honoured Prof. Poly I. Emenike (MON, Odenigbo Nanka) with Anambra Community Youth Development Award and Star Role Model Award for his enormous contributions to youth & community development in Nanka, Orumba North and Anambra State in general.
