A 30 hectares sorghum farm belonging to Anambra State Government has been gutted by fire.
The farm, Governor Willie Obiano had boasted would further boost agriculture in the state when the first supply of sorghum is delivered to breweries, makers of the famous Hero brand of beer who were already standing by for supply.
Obiano had said that the state had beyond the exportation of vegetables and yams to United States and United Kingdom, will soon add sorghum, which would be exported to foreign companies for the brewing of beers.
It was gathered that Obiano while making the comment had hinged his hope on the Igbariam sorghum farm, where government was said to have expended resources in the hope of recovering at the first supply.
A visibly saddened Obiano who was at Igbariam on Wednesday to inspect the damage on the burnt farm has directed security personnel in the state to apprehend anyone suspected to be engaged in the fire.
Obiano was at Delfarm Songhai Farm, Igbariam, and noted that government would properly investigate the incident, to unearth immediate and remote causes of the fire.
The 30 hectares of sorghum along with other crops like banana, maize and vegetables were all affected by the fire.
It was recalled that in 2017, Delfarm Songhai Farms, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Anambra State Government to supply 10,000 metric tons of sorghum to Intafact Breweries for brewing beer.
Obiano reassured that his administration would assist within its capacity to help investors in the farm re-start production and prevent a future re-occurrence.
He said: "Bush fire is against the state's environmental laws. We have directed relevant agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone flouting the law."
The Managing Director of the farm, Mr Pius Ekwunugo, while describing the incident as unfortunate, said it was regrettable that they suffered such fate twice in two years.
"This is in spite of efforts they have made to ensure cordial relationship with host community," he stated.
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