Okey Ezeh: Committed To Agricultural Resurgence of Orlu

By Mark Akums

Agriculture is supposed to be the mainstay of the economy of Imo State. The people of Orlu Local Government are involved in agriculture and animal husbandry, and to a very small extent fishery.

The major staple food crops produced include yam, cassava, coco-yam, maize, three leaf yam, tomatoes, pepper, vegetable of various kings and specie of cowpea locally called “Akidi”. The principal cash crops are oil palm, kolanut, coconut, pea, bread-fruit, raffia palm (Ngwo) and Indian bamboo.

A traditional Orlu man complements farming with palm wine tapping. The major farm animals reared in Orlu Local Government include poultry, sheep and goats, dogs, cows, pigs, dock, pigeon and rabbits. The local breeds of farm animals are reared under extensive and semi – intensive systems. The animals roam about to find their food. The problem is that largely subsistent agriculture is practised.

Again, land tenure hinders commercial farming and livestock farming is very limited and poorly done. Lack of improved seedlings, inadequate technical training and non funding of the poor farmers by financial institutions all contribute to the decline in productivity.

The policy thrust of Okey Ezeh is to boost agricultural production by establishing a system that would guarantee rapid increase in agricultural production and ensuring food security. The policy aims at increasing area under cultivation of cassava and maize by 40% by 2021, increasing area under cultivation of seed yam by 35% by 2021, increasing average yield of maize from 3. 0. Metric tonnes to 20 metric tonnes/ nectar by the year 2021, establishing palm oil nursery for supply of improved seedlings, instituting micro credit scheme for farmers, rendering improved extension services to farmers, providing improved seeds and seedling to farmers, increasing access to agricultural inputs and subsidizing the cost of the inputs.

The agricultural system in Orlu shall be repositioned by Okey Ezeh to give our people food security and boost economic development. Vote SDP. Vote Okey Ezeh for Imo State Governor.