One of the major rice farms championing Anambra rice, Coscharis Rice Farm located at Anaku, Ayamelum local government area of Anambra State had been cut off following the rising flood in the state.
Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke who went on inspection visit to the rice arm to ascertain the level of damage on the directive of the state Governor expressed sadness at the level of damage in the farm.
From the aerial view of the farm using a drone, it was observed that about one thousand five hundred hectares of the rice farm spanning three hundred and sixty degrees, have been totally submerged in the flood, which has left the company counting its losses.
Speaking on the development, the Deputy Governor who sympathized with the management of the farm, observed the enormous damage caused by the flood, noting that about ninety-five per cent of the farm’s harvest had been damaged.
He expressed hope that the damage will not affect the yearly Anambra rice projections even as he hoped the farm is insured for such emergencies bearing in mind the topography of the area.
Okeke gave assurance of the state government’s preparedness to help the farm recover.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanization and Export, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, in his remarks said that it is usual practice to work rice projections based on productions from rice stakeholders like Coscharis, regretting that the target quantity will decrease as a result of the disaster.
The Commissioner restated the resolve of Governor Obiano in producing enough rice for consumption and export, even while engaging in preventive measures against reoccurrence of flood.
In his speech, the Farm Operation Manager Mr. Shepherd Hurudza, thanked the State Government for commiserating with them saying that effort is ongoing by stakeholders to forestall or minimise the effect of such flood challenge in the future.