The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has been endorsed by Imo farmers as their sole candidate for the governorship election in Imo State.

The group under the aegis of Imo Farmers Association (IFA) made this known at the closing ceremony of their Annual Prayer Session to mark the beginning of this year’s farming season and exhibition of various farm products held at the All Saints Cathedral field, Egbu, Owerri, Imo State.

The President General of the Association, Okenze D.N. Keke, in his speech, enumerated the Deputy Speaker’s support for farmers in Imo State which according to him impacted their business very positively.
According to him, Ihedioha is a farmer and his manifesto as it affects agriculture, accommodates all we need to contribute to the development of Imo State. With him as governor, farmers believe that a bumper harvest and food sufficiency will be assured.

“He has tried for us by providing fertilisers and other forms of assistance. We will also appreciate more support such as more fertiliser supply and soft loans to enable us increase our yield and boost food production,” he said.

He decried the neglected farmers in Imo State have suffered since the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha, which according to him has affected food production and the economy of the state negatively.

Reacting, the PDP governorship hopeful thanked the farmers for the confidence reposed in his candidature and his party. While commending the initiative, he promised to carry them along in his government when he becomes governor. He said his government will prioritise agriculture as the next investment destination in Nigeria.

The deputy speaker who later inspected displayed farm produce urged them to continue to support the Transformation Agenda the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan and assured them that the government under his watch shall create an enabling environment for agriculture to thrive by constructing access roads that will guarantee easy transportation of farm produce to the cities.

‘‘My administration shall also help the farmers by granting access to soft loans, to enable them increase their yield. We shall provide a silo to store your grains and link you up to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, for a direct partnership that will boost the agro economy in our state,” he said.

He urged the farmers to register their association and ensure the documentation of each farmer according to their respective areas of farming and promised to make agriculture attractive and a major source of income and revenue to the state.

Prayers were offered for a peaceful election and consecration of farm seedlings for a bountiful harvest.