Enugu State Government has assured robust agricultural development that will ensure food sufficiency, zero poverty level and exportation of farm produce through mechanized agriculture and establishment of 260 Smart farm settlements in the 260 wards of the state by the year 2025.
The State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah gave the assurance in his address at the World Food Day 2024 celebration held on Wednesday , October 16, at the State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro- Industrialization premises , Enugu.
Represented by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Governor Mbah said this era is the era of food abundance in Enugu state . He disclosed that all the farm produce exhibited which included rice, cassava, garri, tomatoes sorghum, yellow pepper, bell pepper, abacha, akidi locust bean, palm oil and others, were from Enugu farms, produced by the ministry of Agriculture and Agro- Industrialization, Enugu.
He assured that the state Government will continue to support agriculture at the local level saying, ” We have mechanized agriculture. What we are doing in Enugu state is to mark on our resolution that we are no longer going to rely on our neighboring states for food. By this time next year, we will not only have food sufficiency, we will achieve food sufficient and exportation of food”.
He announced that most of the moribund industries will be revamped to help source for raw materials, boost agricultural production and grow the economy of the state
The Governor noted that this year’s theme : “Right to food for a better life and better future “, resonates with his administration’s shared vision to ensure that every individual has access to the most basic human right – the right to adequate and nutritious food.”
In his speech, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, said the vision of the state Government for Enugu state, ” is to build an agricultural sector that not only meets local demands but also serves as a model of excellence in food production and security.
Noting that Agriculture remains the backbone of Enugu state’s economy and development, Prof Onyia said ,”the state Government had supported over 60,000 registered farmers across the state by providing vital inputs such as fertilizers, power tillers, and agrochemicals to them with the aim of enhancing productivity, improving crop yields, and making farming more sustainable and profitable.
He added that through partnerships with donor agencies, they were also investing in specific value chains, including cassava, rice, and sorghum, to further drive agricultural growth and rural development.
Pix: SSG, Prof Onyia
Prof Onyia explained that the state Government ‘s plans to establish 260 smart farms across the wards will promote rural productivity by integrating advanced technologies into traditional farming practices, ensuring that even the most remote communities can benefit from modern farming solutions.
He hinted that the celebration of World Food Day is a reminder that food security is a shared responsibility.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro- Industrialization , Hon. Patrick Ubru said the “World Food Day”, is an occasion that highlights the importance of food security and the fundamental right to adequate nutrition for all individuals.
Pix: Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro- Industrialization , Hon. Patrick Ubru
He added that this year’s theme aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s ongoing efforts in ensuring that Ndi Enugu have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
Ubru stated that “we must advocate for policies that safeguard the right to food, promote sustainable agricultural practices, support our most vulnerable populations and create a future where Ndi Enugu enjoy the right to food, paving the way for better lives and brighter futures.”
On agricultural programs of the Government, the Commissioner said the state government planned to acquire 300.000 hectares of farmland for agricultural production, focusing majorly on large-scale commercial farming.
He disclosed that 160, 000 hectares have been acquired and over 47.000 hectares already allocated to private investors for the cultivation of crops such as cassava, maize, rice. soybeans, sorghum, oil palm, cashew, and yam.
“This is in addition to 115,600 hectares cultivated by our small holder farmers across the state. These efforts are designed to expand production and ensure food security. We are aligned with the Federal Government initiatives, and this goes beyond the establishment of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in each of our three senatorial districts with documentations for the pilot at Owo in Nkanu East near completion.
He intimated the gathering of the state government’s target of producing million metric tons of Cassava annually, which he said, is a Private Sector, Federal ,State and Local government led initiative on Bio-economy focusing on Cassava to Bioethanol end-to-end Value Chain Development.
“Currently, about 1,000 hectares of cassava was cultivated last year under this project and are now ripe for harvest, positioning Enugu State as key player in cassava and the biofuel sector.
“On rice production, our target is to move production from 102.000 to 600,000 – 1, 000,000 metric tons annually. This is made possible with Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) training for rice farmers which began since November 2023.We have equally introduced dry season rice farming practices, distributed solar irigation pumps and rehabilitated the Dam and irigation canal covering 1, 200 hectares at Adani in Uzo-Uwani LGA.,” Ubru said.
The Commissioner announced that the state Government has commenced the construction of full industrial 20 tons/day capacity rice mill at Nkanu East LGA, to boost rice production and processing of Enugu Rice Brand. He added that the facility will be replicated in Uzo-Uwani, Ezeagu, Isiuzo, Aninri and Nkanu West LGAs.
Pix-: Prof Ngwu, UNN
On livestock development he said, “there were advanced plans to establish Public Ranches, supported by the newly signed, “Public Ranch Management Agency Law” of Enugu Sate.
He said the state government had also launched the Livestock Production and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, which includes the ongoing construction of a Regional Veterinary Hospital in Akwuke Enugu South LGA and modern abattoirs. This facility will provide essential services to our livestock farmers, ensuring the health and productivity of their herds and healthy meat for Ndi Enugu.
“The State started conversation with an agricultural consultant from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, USA, and also collaborating with Enugu State University of Science and Technology particularly the Faculty of Agriculture Agbani, Enugu for the development of Enugu State Public Ranch in line with His Excellency’s vision for modern and technology driven end to end livestock value chain and marketing, all the way to export”he said.
Pix-: Mrs Clara Eze, Permanent secretary Ministry of Budgeting and Economic planning
Ubru disclosed that they had commenced training of women and youths on food processing and nutrition; drawn across the 17 LAs.
They had reached out to the flood victims of Esieni Oduma, Okpankwu communities in Aninri and others affected communities in the state, providing them with modern farm equipment, Agro inputs, food items and other assistance to help them recover and rebuild their lives.
He added that they had introduced greenhouse farming, which allows for efficient and sustainable cultivation of various varieties of pepper, tomatoes, and vegetables; entered into memoranda of understanding with private commercial farmers for large-scale production of cassava, rice, maize, sorghum, and soybean on over 17,000 hectares of land.
Pix-: Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology
The Commissioner said 10,000 hectares will be allocated to the new private company partnering with the Enugu State Government to revive the Enugu Sunrise Flour Mill utilizing cassava and other grains as feedstock
He added that the State government had commenced revitalization of Enugu State moribund assets; starting with the United Palm Products Limited (UPPL) (an investment portfolio of N101 Billion) and Enugu Sunrise Flour Mill (N42Billion) by divestment of 60% of Enugu State’s equity to Pragmatic Palms Limited and Jalfah Group respectively on Special Purpose Vehicle model to create massive jobs, stimulate the State’ economy and boost GDP.
The state Government , Ubru said had also awarded and commenced the construction of about 15 rural access roads leading to processing and aggregation centers across the state.
These roads, when completed will greatly enhance access for our farmers and improve the efficiency of our agricultural supply chains.
He announced that in the coming months, they will receive over 300 tractors being assembled in the state by a Danish Company attracted to the state by the Governor, which will enhance farmers’ productivities and efficiency.
Good will messages were delivered by the Permanent secretary, Ministry of Budgeting and Economic planning,Mrs Clara Eze, A Nutritionist/ Dietician, Prof Elizabeth Ngwu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Representatives of IFAD, ATASP-1, APPEALS among others
Author: Maureen Ikpeama