AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMED IN ANAMBRA STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Anambra State was carved out of the former, larger Anambra State on August 27, 1991. It is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The people of Anambra State are predominantly Igbos and are very industrious. Most of the industrial base of the state is private sector driven, spanning from agro allied, automobile and manufacturing situated mostly in the Nnewi industrial belt. Onitsha market is reputed to be the biggest in West Africa. The State has a land mass of about 4,416sq km with 4,182,022 population. Several raw materials and agro-products are produced in various parts of the State. For example Cassava is widely grown in Orumba South Local Government, Yam in Anambra West and Rice in Anambra East. Fishery products are abundant in Ogbaru. The State has a vision of “becoming the most livable, economically vibrant state in Sub-Saharan Africa serving as the economic hub of the southern part of Anambra state” which is anchored on MDGs, Vision 20: 2020 and Anambra State Strategic Plan. The State Agricultural Investment Plan (SAIP) is aimed at ensuring food security in such a way that food and agro-products become accessible, available and affordable to all Anambrarians and raw materials to Agro-based industries through a gender balanced, environmental friendly and private sector driven development in Agriculture. The Plan also ensures significant increase in area under cultivation on arable crops, provision of the basic infrastructure in fishing communities and increasing the population of livestock.
The development of state ministry of agriculture in Anambra state changed in political structure after independence. The three regions structure in 1960 gave way to four regions in1963 and this equally gave way to states creation from 1967 up to 1996 (Ayoola, 2010). The roles of the ministry of agriculture include the following: – Organizing of short duration seminars and workshops to farmers. Providing farmers credit, subsidies and other incentives to boost total output in the various special programmes undertaken by the state government, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other support programmes. Conduct market surveys to determine current prices of agricultural inputs and products. Carry out the technical implementation of all agricultural loan schemes. Pest control services. Overseeing the activities of all agriculture related Parastatals and Companies (www.riverstate.gov.ng). Agriculture in Anambra state has witnessed drastic changes in government programmes ranging from administration, funding, manpower and learning skills, and infrastructural facilities to creation of research institutes (Madukwe, 2008). The first post colonial development era of 1962-1968 period emphasized the introduction of more modern agricultural methods through farm settlements, co-operative plantations, supply of improved farm implements and a greatly expanded agricultural extension service. Some specialized development schemes initiated during this period include: the National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP), 1972; The World Bank-funded Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) 1975; River Basin and Rural Development Authorities (RBDA) 1976; Operation Feed the Nation, 1976; and Green Revolution Programme, 1980; among others (Jibowo & Ajayi, 2011).
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