NAN-AE-5
Farming
By Christian Ogbonna
Okordia (Bayelsa), Jan. 9, 2017 (NAN) Mr Jonah Okah, a nonagenarian farmer in Okordia Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, has advised youths in the area to embrace farming to increase agricultural production.
Okah, 92, popularly known as “Professional Fish Farmer”, gave the advice in Okordia in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
He described agriculture as the oldest profession in the world, and noted that the profession’s importance to mankind could not be overemphasised.
“From time immemorial farming had kept man going. I am now 92 years of age. I was born in 1925, I started the business of agriculture in early 30’s and I never regretted being a farmer.
“I am a professional fish farmer, I can plant other crops like plantain; at my age I’m still going out to farm.
“The young people of these days do not want to work before they eat and life is not like that; you must work for you to eat.
“I am advising the youths in Okordia community to embrace agriculture. Government at all levels should be proactive to ensure that the youths are empowered through agriculture.
“Youths should also stay out of trouble because if we embrace farming, restiveness will reduce and we will have an enabling environment for development,’’ he said.
On Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN)’s project in Okordia community, Okah said it was a welcome development as it would help to improve the economy.
NAN recalls that RIFAN had acquired over 5, 000 hectares of land in the area in an effort to improve rice farming in Bayelsa.
“Nigeria has come of age and I believe with this RIFAN project in my community, a milestone shall be achieved.
“The era of oil has come and gone, so, let us turn to the oldest profession to grow the economy.
“Let us remember that man cannot do without food, whether you are a medical doctor, nurse, trader, teacher, civil servant, accountant; we all need food to survive.”
In his response, Mr Ezekiel Ogbianko, the state Chairman of RIFAN, assured the community that the project would not be a political jamboree.
“This is a Federal Government project that will last for 50 years in this community.
“I promise that we will continue to work hard to actualise the objective of more rice production and youth empowerment through agriculture,”Ogbianko said. (NAN)
OOC/MOL/OFN
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi//Felix Nwadioha