Abia farmers get improved maize seeds, chemicals, inputs

The Abia State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) has procured improved varieties of maize seeds, chemicals and other inputs to make the programme successful in the state.

At the flag-off of the ADP 2020 Anchor Borrowers Planting cropping season, the Programme Manager of the ADP, Chief Israel Amanze, said with the new variety, the state would now have fresh maize within 60-70 days of planting.

The initiative is in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAN).

He said 4,000 maize farmers were registered in the state CBN- MAN Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), adding that Extension Agents had been deployed all over the state to give technical assistance to the farmers.

Also the ADP Director of Technical Service, Mrs. Nnenna Uche said the ABP would enable maize farmers to plant maize three times within one year, a development she described as first of its kind in the state.

Chairman of the state CMAN, Chief Onyekachi Erondu, said 187 maize farmers were already benefitting from the programme and predicted that more than 3,000 would benefit this year.

e commended the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the state ADP and the CBN for supporting the association.