Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo has charged residents to return to farm and contribute their quota towards efforts to bring down prices of food stuff in the country.
Soludo, who spoke on Saturday in Awka while inaugurating the state New Yam Festival (Iriji), said the measure would enhance food security for the state and the nation.
“Let us all go back to farm in order to ensure food security for our state and Nigeria in general.
“ Let us return to utilise all the available lands around us during the farming season to produce more food,” he said.
He recalled that the state government had inaugurated “farm to feed,” towards promoting agri-business in the state.
The governor also directed members of his executive to go return to farm yams and other food stuff, adding that he expects them to win the best prize in farming next year.
“I will also join in this competition next year in order to promote agriculture in the state. The new yam festival is the epic of all cultural and traditional festival in the state.
“Today, Anambra State officially flags off new yam festival, knowing full well that some communities in the state have celebrated same.
“This one is unique because we have come together to celebrate our cultural heritage,”he said.
Soludo, who decried lateness of the people in attending state functions, emphasised that the 2025 new yam festival must be timely in order to properly showcase the state rich culture and tradition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highpoint of the occasion was cash rewards to the producers of highest weighed yams in one harvest.
NAN also reports that Chigozie Anele from Akwaeze in Anaocha Local Government Area (LGA) produced yam weighing 80kg in one harvest to clinch the first position, with a reward of N3 million and a tricycle pick-up.
The second and third positions went to Igwilo Paschal from Isuofia in Aguata LGA and Emeka Stephen from Nimo in Njikoka LGA, who harvested yams weighing 71.5k and 44kg. They went home with N1 million each.
Responding on behalf of the winners, Anele assured that they would use their rewards judiciously.
NAN further reports that the 21 LGAs in the state paraded different masquerades during the event.