Awka — The Anambra State FADAMA 111 project has been launched with disbursement of cheques totaling N50 million to various FADAMA Community Associations by Governor Peter Obi.

The ceremony which took place at the Women Development Centre, Awka, attracted farmers from all parts of the state and other stakeholders in agriculture.

FADAMA 111 is a joint project of the World Bank, Federal and State Governments, which is expected to increase the income of about 75% of benefiting households by 40% by the year 2013.

Governor Peter Obi said at the ceremony, that agriculture remains one of the pillars of the State's Integrated Development Strategy, with the aim of wiping out poverty and hunger among the people.

He regretted that the state did not participate in previous FADAMA projects because of the inability of previous administrations to pay the required counter-part funding.

He said that in addition to the FADAMA 111 Project, his administration had also fulfilled all conditions for participation in Roots and Tuber Expansion Programme, National Programme for Food Security, Rural Finance Institution Building Programme, State Agricultural Credit Scheme and Tractor Services, among others.