As a way to mitigate the worrisome development of neglect of farming, governments at all levels have been encouraged to give loans and grants to encourage young farmers.
HRH Eze Prof. Cyril A. Ucheaga, Enyi II of Laguru Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Dr. Iheonye Simon Ibezim, Evule Ukwu II of Umuosu Autonomous Community, all of Ubakala in Umuahia South LGA handed down this advice weekend on the occasion of Laguru and Umuosu autonomous communities’ joint 2023 new yam celebration.
According to them, “There is hunger in Nigeria and youths of these days now engage in vices instead of farming. They don’t want to work or suffer but want quick money”, adding, “Government at all levels should make use of agricultural extension agents to encourage and teach farming to farmers and also give farm inputs to farmers and give agricultural soft loans to curtail unemployment”.
They pleaded with youths in the country, particularly in Abia that there is blessing in farming.
On the celebration, the monarchs said, “We are celebrating Iwa Ji (yam celebration) 2023, signifying kick off of the new yam festival in the two sister communities of Laguru and Umuosu Ubakala before the actual new yam celebration by each of the communities and in Igbo land in general”.
The traditional rulers disclosed that the two communities were once one autonomous community before being divided in 2001 and still do their traditions in common, adding that they are always the first to celebrate new yam before any other community in Igbo land, but could not state why.
According to them, “It started from the old; we do it first in Igbo land and usually in July, unless there is a delay and even as it will be during the raining season, it will not rain that day”.
They further disclosed that the ceremony is not fetish but a cultural exhibition that also feature masquerading, adding that all fetish aspects of the old have been removed, while religious ministers start off the ceremony with prayers.
They also regret the factors militating against yam cultivation in Igbo land that include aging population of yam farmers and most youths who no longer have interest in farming, but in quick money, hence the high rate of diminishing return in yam production in Igbo land, warned, “If time is not taken, we cannot eat yam again without buying imported ones from the market”.
They noted that in Abia, the state governor, Alex Otti started on good footing and urged him to step up all arrangement about agriculture “to increase food security and to pump in more fund into the agricultural sector and to also encourage formation of cooperative societies in the state”.
“Yam is the king of crops in Igbo land and is eaten in different ways and it nourishes the body. We respect yam in Igbo land but not worship it.
“We cannot say we celebrate new yam first in Igbo land. The ceremony is aimed at making ourselves happy and as an opportunity to know relations, kits and kin, especially those residing outside, that will be around during the occasion to celebrate. We use the occasion to look after our visitors and to drive away hypertension and other illnesses.
“It is important to farm, not only yams, but other crops, not minding that people these days, steal the yam seedlings soon after planting, only for the farmer to wait endlessly for the seedlings to sprout.
“Igbos should not allow their traditions to die but should do away with the fetish aspect practiced by our forefathers”, the royal fathers said.
A diaspora son of the communities who was honoured during the occasion, High Chief Augustine Ohamuo, said “Ndigbo should ensure that their customs do not die, but continued for posterity”, stating that in Boston in the US, the IGBOS in disapora celebrate it, adding, “it is good”.
A former banker and now agriculturist who was also honoured, Mrs. Rose Asiegbu said “It is heart breaking that youths see farming as work for the poorest but farmers are the holders of the economy”, and disclosed that her foundation for widows donates farm inputs to the widows, and pleaded with them to embrace farming.
“This is something we can start doing without waiting to be forced. Farmers should not fold their arms and wait for loans but should start from as little as they can”.
The Chairman, planning committee of the ceremony, Chief Hon. Tony Ezigbo and his Secretary, Hon. Ikesinachi Ibegbulam affirmed that the occasion is not fetish, but involves church Ministers, regretting that the ceremony sabotaged by those who believe it is fetish.
