Food Sufficiency: Co-Operative Society Seeks Farm Implement Support From Gov Emmanuel

The Udung Abang Farmers Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Limited, Akprangkprang Uda in Mbo Local Government Area, has keyed into the decision of Akwa Ibom State government in engaging farmers in agricultural production using cooperative societies for increased yields in the state.

The efforts of the state government in this direction is aimed at improving food sufficiency in the state and making food items affordable and available for the people of the state and beyond.

Speaking during the fund launch for the procurement of farm implements for farmers organised by Udung Abang Cooperative, over the weekend in Akprangkprang Uda, the Chairman of the Co-operative, Ovong Etim Okon Abang appealed to the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel to come to their aid by donating farm implements to help boost their farming businesses.

Ovong Abang, who is the Village Head of Akprangkprang Uda, said procurement of farm implements for the cooperative will encourage more people into farming.

According to him, the rationale behind Udung Abang Cooperative is to key into the Dakkada philosophy of the present administration where agriculture is a critical component of Governor Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda.

He said the membership strength of the Cooperative presently has progressively increased to over 100 persons cutting across Uda Community.

While commending various transformation programmes of the state government in its quest to reposition agricultural sector, the village head hinted that the cooperative was ready to key into the agenda by exploring ways to assist farmers, fishermen and traders to succeed in their respective businesses.

He therefore appealed to the state government to provide fertilizers, fishing nets, outboard engines and boats, among other farming and fishing equipment to the members of the cooperative, adding that Fishing and farming are the main sources of livelihood for the people of the area.

“The aims and objectives of this Cooperative is to make all sons and daughters of Udung Abang have what to do in order to be self-reliant.

“Most of our members are fishermen and farmers. Personally, as a village head, I am a peasant farmer. I’m cultivating yam in this village and we always do new yam festival every year precisely first week of August,” Ovong Abang stated.

The Chairman of the occasion, Hon Hossana Etifit, who is the Supervisory Councilor for youth and sports in Mbo Local Government Council, commended Ovong Abang for the laudable initiative, describing it as unprecedented