The Unubi Youth Association, in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State has distributed a mix of about 900 economic tree seedlings to farmers in the community.

The state government launched a programme, Operation Farm To Feed Campaign, to eradicate hunger in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, who performed the distribution on Friday in Unubi under the Operation Farm to Feed programme, commended the initiative.

Mr Ihejiofor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ifeyinwa Uzoka, said the programme was aimed at boosting productivity and improving livelihoods in the community.

He listed the seedlings distributed to the farmers to include bitter kola, guava, soursop, cocoa, breadfruit and orange.

Mr Ihejiofor noted that the government was committed to expanding the programme to ensure greater food security and economic sustainability of farmers.

According to him, economic trees hold immense potential to drive economic growth, enhance food security, secure future generations and promote sustainability.

Earlier, the Youth Leader of the Unubi community, Aguiyi Ezeani, described the initiative as a grassroots outreach effort aimed at encouraging mass participation in agriculture.

Mr Ezeani noted that Unubi land is fertile, with every space serving as a garden.

He urged residents to own a garden and join the campaign to combat hunger and the food crisis experienced globally.

He explained that the exercise aligned with the state government’s agenda to strengthen agriculture, adding that the programme was conceived to ensure the availability of at least three seedlings per household in the community.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chinonso Udemba, appreciated the organisers for providing the seedlings, saying they would be nurtured to reap their benefits.

Mr Udemba expressed optimism that the gesture would have a greater impact on farmers in the next five years.

(NAN)