Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the commissioner for agriculture to initiate a process for mechanized solutions to boost agriculture in the state.
The member representing Onitsha North one constituency Rt. Hon. Douglas Nwachukwu Egbuna who is the chief sponsor of the motion stated that Mechanized Agriculture or Agricultural Mechanization is the use of machinery and equipment, ranging from simple and basic hand tools to more sophisticated, motorized equipment, and machinery, to perform agricultural operations.
According to Hon. Egbuna who is the Deputy Minority Leader maintained that agriculture in Nigeria is one of the major sectors of the Nigerian economy, representing up to 35% of total national employment in 2020. As reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), agriculture remains the foundation of the Nigerian economy. It is the main source of livelihood for most Nigerians, both in terms of food production and providing millions of jobs.
“Population growth and changing lifestyles are creating a surge in demand for food, well beyond the current capacity of the sector in the state. The rapid urbanization of Anambra communities adds to the urgency. As individuals increasingly move to the cities, rural labour rates are likely to rise and farmers will need to do more with fewer available hands and produce even more food to meet the swelling demand.
” Sustainable agricultural mechanization will contribute significantly to the development of value chains and food systems in the state as it has the potential to render postharvest, processing and marketing activities and it will potentially attract youth to farms and drastically reduce the rate of youth unemployment in the state
“If the state government prioritize mechanized agricultural development in its policy and budgetary plans, it is going to build a strong agribusiness economy capable of meeting domestic food demand goals, generating export revenues, and creating jobs.
” With mechanised farming such as tracktors, harvestors, storage facilities and equipments meant for murdern farming, caltivation will be faster and easer.
” The advantages of mechanised farming are limited. It will increase productivity, create employment for youths etc.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Pat Okafor, Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi, Hon. Emmanuel Nwafor, Chief Whip Hon. Jude Ngobili, Hon. Jude Umennajiego, Hon. Patrick Okafor, Hon. Tony Muobike, Hon. Kingsley Udemezue and Deputy Minority Whip Hon. Nkechi Ogbuefi in their separate submissions called on Governor Soludo to initiate a process for mechanized solutions to boost agriculture in the state.
According to the legislators “Most of our youths are looking for white color job, but mechanised agriculture will encourage more persons to go into farming.
” Many have abandone farming because they are tired of the process but initiating mechanised farming will make people come back to farming”.
Anambra assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze commended Hon. Douglas Nwachukwu Egbuna for moving the motion stating that mechanized farming will reduce unemployment in the state when implemented.
The house adjuned and to reconvene on Tuesday August 29 2023.
