Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, has described food production as the most important profession that can transform the nation's economy.
Sir Onyeme made the description when members of the Association of Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs Network, (ACSEN), Delta State Chapter, paid him a courtesy call in Asaba.
The deputy governor who was made the Chief Patron of the Association in Delta State during the visit, said that no matter the level of engineering, without food all will not be well, asserting that food production was the sure way to go as a nation.
According to him; "I want to sincerely welcome you to Delta State, It is a thing of joy for you to be here in my office and I am very happy with this honour that you just bestowed on me, knowing that I am a farmer both in practice and at heart; so, this honour of making me your Chief Patron is a very big honour indeed, because it is what I like to do.
"As a matter of fact, we need this association to enlighten our people that the way to go is food production; it is an old profession, and a very important profession, and it is still the most important profession because, no matter the level of engineering, or whatever you do in life, without food all will not be well.
"So, we need to encourage our people to embrace agriculture, to embrace farming, especially cassava production that has been our traditional crop, and I will do my best to contribute towards that encouragement.
"I want to thank everyone of you for the interest you have shown in Delta, I can only ensure that as a people, and as government, we will do everything possible to encourage the association to grow and multiple in Delta State because at the end of the day, it is about ensuring that there is enough food for us as a nation.
"At the end of the day, it is also ensuring that there is employment because unemployment breeds a lot of very negative vices that destroy societies.
"So, if we encourage agriculture, especially cassava production, of course, we will know that we are playing major role in creating employment for our people.
"Delta State, like you all observed, has very fertile soil, and there is no part of Delta State that cassava is not grown, cassava is grown all round our state.
"I want to also let you know that I have been a farmer all my life, so, this courtesy call and making me your Chief Patron, to me, is like a dream come through because farming is my best vocation. Aside the public service, the next thing I do is farming. Any time, any day that you want to see me and I am not in the office, you can just go to the farm and you will see me there.?
"So, I am happy to be part of this programme and I will give all my support.
"We will encourage our citizens, especially fellow Deltans to go into farming and I know in couple of years, we will overtake most of the states in food production.
Prof Mark Tokula, representing National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, who led the team said that Nigeria is the highest producer and consumer of cassava in the World.
He noted that, the Research Institute has developed about 64 varieties of cassava, with a focus on cassava seed, the sterm, which has become a great source of finance for farmers across the nation.
Earlier the state President of ACSEN, Rev Mrs Maureen Eboka, said the association was established by entrepreneurs who are committed to revolutionizing cassava seed value chain.
She noted that, the primary objective was to promote the production and distribution of high quality cassava seeds, and as well provide training and support to seeds entrepreneurs.
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