The Imo State House of Assembly has adopted a motion urging the state Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma to direct collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Local Government Affairs to achieve food security in the state
Moving the motion at Wednesday 's plenary, the member representing Obowo Constituency, Hon Kennedy Ibeh submitted that the state has the capacity to become the food basket of the nation.
According to him, becoming the food basket could be achieved if deliberate and concerted efforts were made in agriculture.
He argued that the 27 local government areas of the state have the potential to make it happen.
The lawmaker explained that if each of the local government areas concentrates on specific crop production where it has comparative advantage, economic competitiveness would be enhanced among the local government areas.
He stressed the importance of agriculture and how it has contributed to the economic growth, reduced poverty and improved the living standards in many countries.
Hon Ibeh further explained that Thailand experienced economic stability through rice and earned over $6 billion in 2020, while Agriculture which is Brazil"s largest sector accounts for a 25% Gross Domestic Product, GDP, in soyabean and sugarcane export.
According to him, while agriculture lifted over 700 million Chinese from poverty between 1981 and 2015, same agriculture reduced poverty rate in Ghana from 44.8% in 1992 to 18.9% in 2015, and Kenya tea farming supports over 560,000 small holder farmers.
He said, "There is hardly any crop that cannot be planted in Imo state, as its tropical climate and fertile soil makes it suitable for various crops.
"Even the Adapalm Industries in Ohaji/Egbema LGA can be replicated in every local government area.
"Before oil was discovered, we were farmers. We should therefore be thinking out of the box, in case the oil dries up. With a population of over 5.4 million people with a square kilometre of 5100, our state can compete favourably with Benue State that has a square kilometre of 34,059.
"Now that the local government election has been conducted and chairmen inaugurated, this is an opportunity to ensure the potentials of these LGAs are put to use in agriculture.
"The Ministries of Land, Agriculture and Local Government Affairs should come together and make this initiative work, thereby crashing food prices".
He beckoned on his colleagues to support the motion in order to ensure increased productivity in agriculture in the state.
The member representing Oguta Constituency, Hon Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu seconded the motion which was co-sponsored by 16 lawmakers.
Ten members also spoke in support of the motion.
They were Uche Agabige (Orsu); Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh Mbaise);; Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West); Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli) and Ozioma Worship Ebonine (Njaba).
Others were Emeka Ozurumba (Isu); Kelechi Ofurum (Owerri North); Gilbert Nwosu (Oguta); Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal) and Ernest Okey Udeze (Ideato North).
They commended Hon Ibeh for the motion, describing it as people-oriented and aimed at reawakening the consciousness of Imo people in agriculture.
According to them, Imo State will be moved from consumption to a production economy if the elected chairmen and councilors take the right steps in revamping agriculture.
Satisfied with submissions of members, the Speaker, Hon Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he directed the Clerk Barr Chinelo Emeghara to communicate the resolution of the House to the governor.
