The Akwa Ibom State Government has called on young people to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture, including equipment leasing, greenhouse revitalisation, food processing and improved agricultural extension services.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Offiong Offor, made the call in an interview with Comfort 95.1 FM in Uyo as the state marked World Food Day.
Offor highlighted government initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural participation and production. These include support for mechanisation, the revitalisation of greenhouses and programmes designed to attract more young people into farming.
She also identified the establishment of an equipment-leasing facility and the promotion of tree-crop production as part of efforts to expand agricultural opportunities. According to the report, the government’s oil palm initiative had distributed improved seedlings in more than 14 local government areas.
On rural infrastructure, Offor said the government was working with donor-funded agencies, including the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, to rehabilitate about 486 rural roads.
She commended local government councils for establishing demonstration farms and said the ministry had introduced a monitoring system to track farmers who receive government grants. Teams visit farms to assess progress and encourage accountability.
The commissioner urged residents to participate in the state’s back-to-farm initiative.
