Soludo Rewards Winner of Di Ji At Second Edition of Iri Ji Festival 2024, Announces Operation Show Me Your Farm, Beginning with Public Officials
Promotes Farm to Feed Initiative
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, CFR, has encouraged residents to adopt farming as a means to counteract the rising cost of food and the economic challenges facing the nation.
The Governor made this appeal during the 2024 Anambra State New Yam Festival (Iri Ji) held at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
Governor Soludo highlighted the significance of the Iwa Ji festival in Igbo culture, noting it as a symbol of the agricultural season’s end and a time for thanksgiving for the year’s harvest.
He urged households across Anambra State to adopt the “Farm to Feed” initiative, advocating for local food production to reduce market dependence.
‘With every household embracing farming, the food crisis can be alleviated,’he said.
‘I encourage each household to establish a farm, growing vegetables, pepper, and other essential crops,’ he urged, announcing the launch of “Operation Show Me Your Farm,” beginning with public officials.
The second consecutive winner of Di Ji Anambra, who is from Anaocha LGA, was gifted three million nairas (N3,000,000), complemented by a tricycle gift from Ikenga Umuawulu, while the three runners-up received one million nairas (N1,000,000) each.
The festival was attended by prominent dignitaries, including State Commissioners, Traditional Rulers, and local farmers, and featured cultural displays, yam-cutting ceremonies, and prize presentations.
Similarly, Governor Soludo, has declare openly his intentions to participate in next year’s biggest yam harvest competition.
He challenged farmers, government appointees, and businessmen to join him in the competition.
Soludo, a self-described subsistence farmer, vowed to double his efforts to produce the biggest yams and emerge as the best yam producer in 2025.
To encourage others, Soludo awarded ₦1 million each to the top four yam producers, with the best producer receiving ₦3 million and a tricycle donated by a philanthropist.
He also mandated his appointees and businessmen to engage in farming, specifically yam production, to compete with him in the November 2025 edition.
This competition is part of Soludo’s “Farm to Feed” policy, aimed at boosting farming, improving yields, and reducing prices .
Anambra State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,Don Onyenji, described new yam festival as a symbolic traditional event that brings the Igbo people together to showcase their cultural heritage.
The Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka (Ochendo Idemili) urged Anambra’s population to take up the challenge and engage in farming, regardless of their professions.
Add Comment