The Anambra State Fadama Coordinating Office has been advised to step up her disbursement profile to beneficiary farmers in all aspects of implementation arrangements of the project.
The National Project Coordinator of Fadama lll AF, Tayo Adewunmi, gave this advice during a one-day stakeholders meeting held with Anambra State Government policy makers, the state Fadama office, road and irrigation contractors, agro-dealers and production cluster chairmen among others, in Awka.
Adewunmi urged the management staff and facilitators of the project to up their activities substantially and ensure that as many farmers as possible were disbursed to without further delay.
He further pointed out that the meeting was key to knowing the progress and way forward for the project in the State and how to move Anambra State Fadama to the next level.
The NPC, while addressing the issue of crisis related to the construction of feeder roads and irrigation facilities in various communities, advised community leaders to show more commitment and support to enable the contractors deliver effectively and qualitatively, and reminded them of the economic benefits embedded in such infrastructure.
The NPC also lauded the giant steps the State Government was taking in all aspects of agricultural production and processing, especially in such areas as vegetables export, which Adewunmi noted has given Anambra State both national and international recognition, as well as huge financial and logistic support to the State Fadama lll project.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanization, Processing and Export, Afam Mbanefo, assured the NFCO Team that Anambra State would step up more agricultural activities that will surprise the nation, within the next three months.
The Commissioner pointed out that the meeting was indeed an eye opener for both the State Project Team and the Stakeholders, as it identified the various issues and loopholes, that would bring about positive effect to overall project implementation.
Mbanefo then commended the Team of National Fadama Coordination office for their kind gesture and trust vested on Anambra State towards delivering the goals of the Fadama Project.
Mbanefo pointed out among other things the efforts of the various community leaders in restoring sanity in the affected areas, thus enhancing the return of the contractors to their, hitherto, abandoned sites.
He also commended the contractors for returning back to sites and urged them to step up the early completion of all the road and irrigation facilities in the State before the end of March.
In his contribution, the Rural Institution Development Specialist, Dr. Gbenga Arokoye, emphasized on the need for quick delivery and completion of all outstanding road and irrigation contracts.
Arokoye advised the Anambra SFCO to ensure timely disbursement of inputs to farmers to ensure maximum yield.
Others present at the meeting included the SSA to the Governor on Agriculture, Mike Ogbuekwe; the SSA and the SA on Fadama, Dr. Joe Okonkwo; Obinna Efobi; as well as traditional rulers.