Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo has said his administration will intensify its support to farmers to boost yam production in the state in the coming years.
Soludo disclosed this during the 2024 iri ji Ndi Anambra (new yam festival), held at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, on Saturday.
The governor said that through its strategic partnership with relevant stakeholders including his wife farming initiative and support to local farmers, his administration will achieved food sufficiency for the state.
He noted that in the coming year, his Government will focus more on Agriculture to curb the trending hunger in the state and the country at large..
He described the New Yam Festival as an ancient Igbo cultural heritage through which unity is promoted among the people and said his administration will continue to support positive aspects of the Igbo culture.
The Governor stressed the importance of agriculture in the state’s economy, especially the age-long Igbo value of “hard work pays”.
The Governor said that the government was committed to encouraging people to farm to feed, which has the potential to create jobs, increase revenue and crash the food prices in the market.
“This is the pre-eminent cultural day we have in Igbo land. We have a special celebration for new yams.
“Today, Anambra as a state, officially unveiled the new yam festival. Several communities had done so before now.
“The symbolism of it, is that we are celebrating it as a state.
“Here, we have the traditional rulers representing the three senatorial zones. We use this to signify yam as the king of crops.
“Some time ago, we launched the farm to feed initiative in the midst of the hunger protest. Complaining about hunger is not the Igbo tradition.
“I encourage you to look for a space around where you live and cultivate what to eat. This will reduce the prices of goods in the market, the governor stated.
Performing the yam cutting ritual, the traditional ruler of Okpuno in Awka South Council Area, Igwe Sunday Okafor said although the various communities of the state have done their Iwaji, the event is unique as it has prospects for the sustenance of the peace, unity and stability in the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Comrade Don Onyenji described the event as significant.
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