Surplus Food In Imo State

In the South-east, like Imo State, the people are predominantly farmers. The pattern of agricultural production in the state vary from one area to the other as areas like Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru West, Oru East and Owerri local government areas among others that are oil producing areas, have different pattern of agricultural production compared to non oil producing areas of the state like Okigwe for topographical reasons.

Generally, 2013 wet season harvest has been very good in the state especially the high yield recorded on the three major crops that are commonly produced in the state which include cassava, yam and plantain. Evidence of good harvest could be seen in the large quantities of these crops in the market. A visit to all the markets in the state will certainly prove that there is abundant food and cash crops in the state. At Eke Umuagwo and Afor Umuapu markets in Ohaji/Egbema local government areas of the state visited by this reporter, there were different types of crops produced by farmers in the area.

A plantain farmer in Ilile Community in Ohaji/Egbema local government area, Mr. Monday Nwosu, said he has been in the business of farming and marketing crops and had noticed that there is high yield this year.

Mrs Roseline Eke, a cassava farmer, said cassava has become a major source of income and on each market day, she uproots cassava from her farm and takes to the market for sale. At the Orie Ogbaku market in Mbaitoli local government area, lots of people go to the market to buy and sell farm produce such as garri, cassava, yam, vegetables, waterleaves, plantain, banana, pineapple among others.

A yam farmer, Obi Udoka, said there are different categories of yam in the market which include yams from the north, Abakaliki and those from other parts of the state, adding, “A lot of buyers come from within and outside the state to patronize us.”
Mrs. Florence Nwaka expressed happiness over the good harvest recorded in the state, saying she has succeeded in having large quantities of cassava and yams from her farm