Gov Mbah flags-off 200-hectare SEDC Agro Programme in Nomeh-Unateze to boost food production, create jobs

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has flagged off the 200-hectare integrated agro-development programme of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) at Nomeh-Unateze, to boost food production, creating jobs, supporting farmers and stimulating businesses across the state.

Speaking at the flags-off held on Tuesday at Nomeh-Unataeze, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state, Governor Mbah said the program, an initiative of the South East Agro Development Programme (SEADP) 2025–2030, targets the development of up to 50,000 hectares of land for mechanised farming across the five South-East states, with the Nomeh Unateze project serving as the first site.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, Governor Mbah said the project marks the beginning of a new phase of agricultural development in Enugu, stressing that its success would be measured by the food produced, jobs created, farmers supported and businesses established on the land in the coming months.

“Today is not an achievement; today is a day for the beginning. So you can judge us by what you see on this land over the next couple of months what you see that is produced here, the jobs that we created here, the farmers that we can support, the businesses that we can create,” the governor said.

Deputy governor,Ifeanyi Ossai

He explained that Nomeh-Unateze would serve as a testing centre for agricultural initiatives, with lessons and outcomes from the project to guide the expansion of the programme to 15 other sites across the South East.

“From Nomeh we will build across all the other 15 sites here. And from what we learn here… this will be like a testing centre for everything we want to do, and what we get and benefit from here, we will spread out to all the other sites as well,” Mbah said.

The governor also commended the Minister of Regional Development for his continued support for the SEDC and the development of the South-East, describing his leadership and commitment as an inspiration to the work being done in the region.

He thanked the traditional and community leaders and residents of Nomeh-Unateze for welcoming the project, as well as the SEDC Board Chairman, members and all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the flag-off.

Mbah assured that the Enugu State Government would continue to work with the SEDC to ensure the project receives the necessary support and delivers tangible benefits to farmers, residents and the wider economy.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute significantly to food production, job creation, farmer support and business development across Enugu State., urging the community to protect the facility.

In his speech, the Hon. Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, commended SEDC and the Enugu State Government for the partnership and described the agricultural initiative as an important step towards strengthening food production and economic development in the South-East. He said the program aligned with one of the federal.government’s Eight renewed hope vision.

Momoh, Minister

The minister said what SEDC had done was transforming policy into implementation. He urged the community to take ownership of the project.

Speaking, the SEDC Board Chairman, Dr Emeka Wogu, said the programme was designed to transform agriculture into a modern and industrialised business ecosystem integrating production, processing, logistics and markets.
Wogu said agriculture remained central to food security, employment, industrial raw materials and wealth creation, particularly in rural communities.

According to him, the South-East possesses vast agricultural resources and hardworking farmers, but challenges including limited farmland, access to quality inputs, financing, storage, processing and market access have continued to constrain agricultural development.

He said the programme would promote mechanised farming, agricultural extension services, improved farming practices, appropriate technology, knowledge-sharing and responsible use of natural resources.
Wogu explained that the Nomeh Unateze site would be replicated across the senatorial zones of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States.

Wogu stressed that the SEDC Board would ensure that resources committed to the programme were utilised responsibly, with emphasis on transparency, accountability, monitoring and measurable results.

The SEDC Board Chairman said the choice of Enugu for the first flag-off underscored the strategic position of the state as the headquarters of the commission, while also strengthening cooperation between SEDC and the state government.

MD//CEO SEDC Mark Okoye
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Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of SEDC, Mark Okoye Jnr., said the flag-off marked a transition from planning, consultation and partnership-building to actual implementation of the commission’s agricultural development programme.

Okoye said the initial 200-hectare facility would be more than a conventional farm, as it would incorporate dairy, poultry, fishery, fodder production, greenhouses, processing, mechanisation and practical agricultural training for young people.

He said farmers from surrounding communities would have opportunities to participate in the agricultural value chain, receive technical support and connect their production to markets.

According to him, the success of the programme would be measured by the hectares developed, food produced, farmers supported, young people trained, businesses created and jobs generated.
Okoye disclosed that extensive consultations had been held with the Nomeh community ahead of the project, stressing that community ownership would be critical to its sustainability.

He said members of the community would be supported, employed and trained through the project, urging them to see the facility as an opportunity to work, acquire skills and participate in agricultural development..
The SEDC MD/CEO commended the Enugu State Government for its partnership with the commission over the past seven months, including the signing of memoranda of understanding and efforts to align the programme with the state’s development agenda.

Okoye added that Nomeh facility would serve as a testing and learning centre, with lessons from the project to be replicated across other parts of the South-East.

SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia

In his speech , the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, expressed the state government’s support for the initiative, noting the importance of agriculture to food security, job creation and economic development. He said Nomeh was an economic hub and the project will bring back the past glory of Nomeh.

Prof Onyia said the project, a mechanised agriculture, will transfer knowledge, create job and boost the economic growth of the community.

Uche Anichukwu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on media and External relatio me

In his goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and External Relations, Hon. Uche Anichukwu, commended SEDC for initiating the agricultural programme and choosing Enugu as the starting point, stressing the importance of partnerships that would translate development plans into tangible opportunities for the people.of Nomeh and economic development in the South-East.

The ceremony was attended by government officials, SEDC board and management members, traditional rulers, community leaders, farmers, development partners, youths and other stakeholders.The facility expected to provide a model for wider agricultural interventions across the South-Eas