By Our Reporter
UYO – Akwa Ibom, Dec 17 (SituationReport) – In a bid to advance food security and self-sufficiency under ‘The Arise Agenda’, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state has introduced the “Every Home a Garden” initiative, encouraging residents to develop and maintain home gardens.
Speaking at this year’s Christmas Carols Festival over the weekend, Governor Eno announced a N500,000 reward for at least 50 participants who successfully create viable home gardens anywhere in the state.
The initiative is modeled after the “Every Home a Garden” project championed by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Interested participants are required to submit a two-minute video showcasing their home gardens with visible landmarks. Videos are to be uploaded on the platform ‘arisehomefarms.akwaibomstate.gov.ng.’
Governor Eno emphasised that Akwa Ibom’s abundant fertile land, favorable climate, and hardworking population make it unjustifiable for the state to rely on other regions for essential produce such as fruits, tomatoes, pepper, waterleaf, pumpkin, and other spices.
This bold step, the Governor explained, aims to promote local food production and reduce dependence on external sources, ultimately enhancing the state’s agricultural capacity and sustainability.
Recall that in his short-term approach to food sufficiency in The Arise Agenda, Pastor Umo Eno promised to increase the production of some identified agricultural products that include fruits, vegetables such as Tomatoes, Cucumber, Oranges, Mango, Pineapple, Spinach, Pepper, Okro and varieties of local spices.
These were promised along with the provision of adequate Food Crops such as cassava, Rice, Maize, yam, plantain, and banana and Cash Crops such as Cocoa, oil palm, Dates/ Raffia Palm, kola nut, and coconut. He also listed Fisheries and Livestock. Most of which can be cultivated around homes.
The idea, according to him, is to encourage those who have land around their homes to start cultivating it and grow from mere consumption level to income generating level.
Over the years small grants/rewards to farmers have emerged as a vital resource for enhancing agriculture and food security initiatives, particularly in developing regions like Akwa Ibom State.
These grants, often provided by governments, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies, are often designed to empower local farmers and communities by offering financial support for innovative small-scale farming. The significance of small grants lies not only in their monetary value but also in their ability to foster creativity, resilience, and self-sufficiency among small farmers.
By targeting specific needs within communities, these grants/rewards can catalyze transformative changes that lead to improved food production, better nutrition, and enhanced livelihoods. A cursory look into the impact of these grants reveals that they are not merely financial instruments; they are enablers of change that can uplift entire communities and contribute to global food security.
The impact of small grants on local farming communities is profound and multifaceted. Firstly, these grants often empower farmers by providing them with the resources needed to experiment with new agricultural products. For instance, a small grant might fund the purchase of improved seedlings or organic fertilizers, allowing farmers to enhance their crop yields sustainably.
This not only improves food availability but also boosts the income of local farmers, enabling them to invest further in their operations and families. Moreover, small grants like the N500,000.00 to Home Farmers in Akwa Ibom State can foster community engagement and collaboration. This can lead to knowledge sharing, where experienced farmers mentor newcomers, and innovative ideas are exchanged. As a result, the entire community benefits from increased agricultural productivity and resilience against external shocks such as pest attacks.
These rewards or grants help ensure that families have access to nutritious food year-round. For instance, a small grant might fund a local cooperative that aggregates produce from multiple farmers and sells it at fair prices in urban markets.
As farmers become more self-sufficient and resilient through the programs, they contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty that often accompanies food insecurity.
Policy analysts applaud this initiative and see it as timely and well-designed to encourage the young and elderly to go back to farming since with the “Every Home A Garden Initiative” one does not need to own acres of land to be involved in farming activities.
