By Ikeugonna Eleke
The Anambra State government has inaugurated Anambra Community Young Farmers Forum (ACYFF), to boost food production in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, inaugurated the group last weekend at the Government House in Awka.
The Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Youth Wing, under the leadership of Comrade Ken Okoli, had facilitated the establishment of the group to aid Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision in food production.
Ihejiofor, while inaugurating the group, praised ASATU Youth for what he described as its proactive efforts in facilitating such a platform and pledged government’s support to ensure growth of the members in their agro business.
Speaking at the event, Comrade Okoli emphasized that the group was established to provide a hub for young farmers in Anambra State to leverage to boast their farming activities, which, he said, would tackle rising food scarcity, increase agricultural output, and explore export opportunities. He reaffirmed ASATU Youth’s commitment to supporting policies that drove 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,’ Okoli said.
The inauguration comes as Anambra State intensifies efforts to boost agricultural productivity and self-sufficiency. Stakeholders believe that empowering young farmers through ACYFF would play a crucial role in achieving those 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 a Compendium of Anambra Community Role Models and honoured Prof. Poly I. Emenike with Anambra Community Youth Development Award and Star Role Model Award for his enormous contributions to youth and community development in Nanka, Orumba North and Anambra State in general.
