TheCable

The Rivers government on Thursday said it had approved N3 billion for small holder farmers in the state.

The state governor, Chibuike Amaechi (pictured), announced this at the 2014 World Food Day (WFD) celebration in Port Harcourt.

Amaechi, represented by the  commissioner for Agriculture, Emmanuel Chindah, said the assistance was aimed at moving subsistent farmers away from poverty.

He reiterated the readiness of the state government to encourage agriculture for jobs and wealth creation.

‘’At inception of this administration in 2007, we resolved to promote agriculture by investing heavily on it.

‘’We intend to sustain livelihood through surplus food production and supply, which we have succeeded in through the help of agencies like Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency and others,’’ the governor said.

Amaechi called on farmers to rise above food scarcity and peasantry, adding that it was imperative to make farming attractive.

The governor said large scale farming was the only roadmap for economic buoyancy of any nation, adding that it was also the primary concern of his administration.

He  commended farmers in the state for being consistent with their vocations, adding that the agricultural development of the state was dependent on them.

Also speaking, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Otonyetarie Okoye, said the celebration was in line with global efforts of ending hunger.

She commended the governor for giving agriculture an unprecedented attention, which had assisted in redefining agriculture in the state.