Akwa Ibom state is part of the south-east agro ecological
zone which comprises of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross
river, Enugu, imo, Rivers, Bayelsa and Ebonyi states. These
nine(9) states represent 12% of Nigeria’s total land area
and 5.8 million of the 82million hectares of arable land.
Considering an estimated population density of 200people
per square kilometer, this is one of the more thickly
populated agricultural zones in Nigeria as it is averages
0.25hectares per person.
Also, the forest reserve accounts for 26.4% of the total
land area in Akwa Ibom state. This implies that we must
develop a superbly efficient agriculture plan which will
enable us achieve safe and sustainable results.
In highlighting Akwa Ibom’s opportunity in agriculture, lets
start by highlighting Ten(10) swamps; Ikpa East, Nwaniba,
Ibiaku Uruan, Afaha Nsai, Nkana, Itu cross, Enyong creek,
Okoroma, Ikpa Uruan and Idim Ntouro. These swamps have
minute traces of heavy metals well below the toxic levels
which are capable of affecting plants growth or soil
fertility. The only exception is Nwaniba swamp which has
an Iron (Fe) value of 1.04mb/L which is not harmful, but is
higher than the WHO maximum permissible cultivatable
land limit of 1.0mg/L. Also, the soils of these swamps are
found to contain poorly drained clayed loamy soils and
considering our annual rainfall of 2300mm, this presents a
huge potential for rice cultivation.
Driving investment in these swamps for rice cultivation
requires understanding some of the challenges which
include their low pH values and control of local flooding.
We understand these challenges in our policy, but we also
understand that the non-saline and very low sodium
concentrations in water from these swamps, present an
opportunity for domestic water supply and irrigation.
In addition to rice, there exists a huge and genuine
opportunity in fishing. I am committed to the foundation
for a multibillion dollar fish industry built around the fish
markets in Ibeno, Ishiet, Ibaka and Oron. Fish sales, fishing
vessels, transportation, tourism inspired fish festivals,
fishing sports, it is important to build on our opportunities.
It is easy to recognize the availability of industrial sized
fishing trawlers in Akwa Ibom Waters. In creating new and
sustainable jobs, we are committed to new areas of
significant potential. Fishing presents a superb
opportunity. Our fishing markets will be reconstructed as
tourist centers and their design will reflect their role in a
New Akwa Ibom Abasi.
My definition of Nigeria’s agriculture eco-system includes
families who cultivate behind their homes and simply trade
by laying their plantain, paw-paw, oranges or pineapples
on the highways for inter city travellers. Being born in rural
Nigeria, I understand the value of those sales to the
families and we have developed our agriculture policy to
grow the yield of these families. We would do well to
create an opportunity for micro traders to grow to small,
then progress to medium and large scale farmers If they
wish to. We believe in applying result based subsidy
inputs. Part of our plan includes an agriculture repository
facility. We need to ensure that farmers, who do not have
the ability to preserve fresh products, have an opportunity
to trade in at discounted but profitable prices. Also, an
agriculture repository will provide insurance for micro and
small business. Our agriculture repository plan is
engineered to encourage farming while creating a
foundation for a food industry. It is important to
understand that a food industry requires a supporting
agriculture industry.
It is important that we strengthen our agriculture culture
regardless of urbanization. My agriculture plan seeks to
achieve the following;
• Stimulate agricultural production.
• Compensate for high costs of transport by executing
targeted infrastructure developments.
• Improve soil quality and combat soil degradation.
• Provide result based inputs affordable to farmers.
• Provide a land hire & acquisition process for persons who
are unable to access farm lands.
• Proper management & utilization of biodegradable waste
as part of our sustainment plan.
• Encourage local production of agriculture industry tools,
machinery and supplies.
zone which comprises of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross
river, Enugu, imo, Rivers, Bayelsa and Ebonyi states. These
nine(9) states represent 12% of Nigeria’s total land area
and 5.8 million of the 82million hectares of arable land.
Considering an estimated population density of 200people
per square kilometer, this is one of the more thickly
populated agricultural zones in Nigeria as it is averages
0.25hectares per person.
Also, the forest reserve accounts for 26.4% of the total
land area in Akwa Ibom state. This implies that we must
develop a superbly efficient agriculture plan which will
enable us achieve safe and sustainable results.
In highlighting Akwa Ibom’s opportunity in agriculture, lets
start by highlighting Ten(10) swamps; Ikpa East, Nwaniba,
Ibiaku Uruan, Afaha Nsai, Nkana, Itu cross, Enyong creek,
Okoroma, Ikpa Uruan and Idim Ntouro. These swamps have
minute traces of heavy metals well below the toxic levels
which are capable of affecting plants growth or soil
fertility. The only exception is Nwaniba swamp which has
an Iron (Fe) value of 1.04mb/L which is not harmful, but is
higher than the WHO maximum permissible cultivatable
land limit of 1.0mg/L. Also, the soils of these swamps are
found to contain poorly drained clayed loamy soils and
considering our annual rainfall of 2300mm, this presents a
huge potential for rice cultivation.
Driving investment in these swamps for rice cultivation
requires understanding some of the challenges which
include their low pH values and control of local flooding.
We understand these challenges in our policy, but we also
understand that the non-saline and very low sodium
concentrations in water from these swamps, present an
opportunity for domestic water supply and irrigation.
In addition to rice, there exists a huge and genuine
opportunity in fishing. I am committed to the foundation
for a multibillion dollar fish industry built around the fish
markets in Ibeno, Ishiet, Ibaka and Oron. Fish sales, fishing
vessels, transportation, tourism inspired fish festivals,
fishing sports, it is important to build on our opportunities.
It is easy to recognize the availability of industrial sized
fishing trawlers in Akwa Ibom Waters. In creating new and
sustainable jobs, we are committed to new areas of
significant potential. Fishing presents a superb
opportunity. Our fishing markets will be reconstructed as
tourist centers and their design will reflect their role in a
New Akwa Ibom Abasi.
My definition of Nigeria’s agriculture eco-system includes
families who cultivate behind their homes and simply trade
by laying their plantain, paw-paw, oranges or pineapples
on the highways for inter city travellers. Being born in rural
Nigeria, I understand the value of those sales to the
families and we have developed our agriculture policy to
grow the yield of these families. We would do well to
create an opportunity for micro traders to grow to small,
then progress to medium and large scale farmers If they
wish to. We believe in applying result based subsidy
inputs. Part of our plan includes an agriculture repository
facility. We need to ensure that farmers, who do not have
the ability to preserve fresh products, have an opportunity
to trade in at discounted but profitable prices. Also, an
agriculture repository will provide insurance for micro and
small business. Our agriculture repository plan is
engineered to encourage farming while creating a
foundation for a food industry. It is important to
understand that a food industry requires a supporting
agriculture industry.
It is important that we strengthen our agriculture culture
regardless of urbanization. My agriculture plan seeks to
achieve the following;
• Stimulate agricultural production.
• Compensate for high costs of transport by executing
targeted infrastructure developments.
• Improve soil quality and combat soil degradation.
• Provide result based inputs affordable to farmers.
• Provide a land hire & acquisition process for persons who
are unable to access farm lands.
• Proper management & utilization of biodegradable waste
as part of our sustainment plan.
• Encourage local production of agriculture industry tools,
machinery and supplies.
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