Enugu’s Strategic Approach to Boosting Agricultural Output
The Enugu State Government has revealed plans to produce 5,000,000 metric tons of cassava and 1,000,000 metric tons of rice annually to ensure food security in the state.
Equally, the state government has initiated a private sector-led federal, state, and local government-enabled public-private partnership (PPP) on the bio-economy, focusing on the cassava-to-bioethanol value chain development. This was disclosed by the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Patrick Uburu, during a program to mark International Food Day, themed “Right to Foods for a Better Life and Better Future,” at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) on Wednesday.
Uburu, represented by the state Programme Coordinator of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr. Edward Isiwu, further stated that the state had initiated Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training for rice farmers across major rice-producing local government areas since November 2023. He noted that the state government has also commenced training for women and youths on food processing and nutrition across the 17 local government areas, adding that Governor Barr. Peter Mbah has started constructing about 15 rural access roads leading to processing and aggregation centers across the state to improve agricultural supply chains.
Collaborations for Sustainable Agricultural Development
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, called for more collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and tertiary institutions like ESUT in areas of funding and policy formulation. He emphasized the importance of such partnerships in achieving food security and promoting innovation in agriculture.
The Vice Chancellor revealed that ESUT Management is effecting fundamental changes at its Faculty of Agriculture to enable it to embark on commercial agriculture. Stressing the importance of World Food Day as a platform to push for the attainment of food security and the right to adequate nutrition for all, he added that ESUT had begun modalities toward signing an MoU with Texas Agriculture and Medicine University, USA, for a ranching training program.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management at ESUT, Professor Emeka Nze, regretted that Nigeria was off track in meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger. He highlighted that an estimated 590 million people worldwide will still suffer from hunger in the next six years, calling for fostering innovation, partnerships, and increased investment in the agricultural system.
He lauded the support of ESUT Management to his faculty, promising to revamp it for commercial agricultural production. Professor Nze underscored the critical role of education and research in addressing food insecurity and driving economic growth through sustainable agricultural practices.
Enugu State’s ambitious plans for cassava and rice production, coupled with public-private partnerships and collaborations with academic institutions, demonstrate a commitment to ensuring food security and fostering economic development. By investing in training, infrastructure, and innovation, the state aims to transform its agricultural sector into a model for others to emulate.
These efforts reflect the administration’s focus on leveraging agriculture as a tool for poverty eradication and inclusive growth, aligning with Governor Mbah’s vision of positioning Enugu among the top three states nationally in terms of GDP while addressing core issues like food insecurity and unemployment.
