The Cross River State government has begun distributing improved seed varieties and herbicides to 135 schools across the state’s three senatorial zones.
This initiative aims to enhance food security and strengthen efforts to combat hunger and starvation in the region.
Senator Stephen Odey, the state’s Commissioner for Education, stated during the distribution of agricultural supplies to schools that the seedlings would enable schools to revive practical agriculture, which has largely faded in public schools. The improved seed varieties distributed include maize, pumpkin, cassava, and melon, among others. Odey emphasized that much can be achieved through the cultivation of these enhanced seedlings.
Comrade Asuquo Amaku, representing the Commissioner and Chairman of the Young Farmers Club in the State Ministry of Education, explained that the agricultural inputs would enable school authorities to reintroduce practical agriculture, helping to boost food production.
He noted, “This initiative follows up on the activities from last year’s farming season. We observed that many crops were spoiled and there was overgrowth on the farms, prompting us to provide schools with herbicides and improved seed varieties.”
Amaku emphasized that distributing the seedlings supports the state governor’s commitment to combating starvation. “We are providing these seedlings to agricultural teachers and school principals so they can use them to teach students practical agriculture techniques for increased food production.”
Comrade Etim Nsa, Principal of NYSC Secondary School and State Chairman of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), stated that the seedlings would help revive practical agriculture as a subject.
“Our goal is to ensure food security for all. We have urged agricultural teachers and school principals to plant the seedlings promptly so they can generate new seeds for the next planting season,” he said.
