The Cross River State Government has started the distribution of improved variety seedlings and herbicides to 135 schools in the three senatorial districts as part of efforts to boost food security and combat hunger in the state.
As he presented the agricultural inputs, the Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey, reaffirmed that the program aims to re-introduce practical agriculture in schools and engage students in food production.
The seedlings distributed are maize, pumpkin, cassava, and melon, among others.
Reviving Agriculture in Schools
On behalf of the Commissioner, Chairman Committee of Young Farmers Club, Comrade Asuquo Amaku, explained that the intervention was a follow-up of last year’s effort, whereby it was observed that most school farms were bedeviled with weed overgrowth and low crop yield.
We noticed that there were weedy weeds and spoiled crops in school farms last year, so we decided to help them with herbicides and high variety seedlings,” Amaku added.
He continued to highlight that the initiative is in line with the state governor’s commitment to hunger eradication and promoting food sufficiency.
School Leaders Praise the Initiative
The NYSC Secondary School Principal and ANCOPSS State Chairman, Comrade Etim Nsa, praised the government for making the move, describing it as a step that will revamp practical agriculture as a course.
“The campaign will increase food security and see to it that schools produce seedlings for subsequent farm sessions. Principals and agriculture teachers should also go ahead with early planting and keep it going, he added.”
Cross River State Government reconfirmed its dedication towards equipping schools with resources in the effort towards ensuring the learners gain experiential knowledge on farming with modern methods and enhance food production at the state.
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