…..Records 63,000 farmer interventions, deepens private sector partnerships
Enugu State government on Friday, October 17,2026, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2026 World Food Day, reaffirming its commitment to transforming agriculture into a commercially viable sector through innovation, digital technology, agro-allied industrialisation and private sector investment.
The government said the focus of its agricultural transformation agenda was to move beyond subsistence farming to an integrated value chain to improve food security, create jobs, reduce post-harvest losses and expand economic opportunities for farmers, women and young people.
Speaking at the event held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Allied- Industrialization, Enugu, the state Governor, Dr Peter Mbah , who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, said the administration was strengthening the link between agricultural production, processing, storage, transportation and markets to ensure that farmers could preserve their produce, obtain fair prices and reach wider markets.
SSG Prof Chidiebere Onyia
Focusing on the Theme, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”, Governor Mbah said innovation goes beyond technology to include improved farming methods, better access to agricultural information, stronger cooperatives, effective extension services, efficient markets and the responsible use of digital tools.
He added that the success of government investment in agriculture should be measured by its impact on farmers’ productivity, reduction in losses, access to credit, youth participation and the ability of local producers to build sustainable businesses.
The governor stressed that food security could not be achieved by government alone, calling for stronger collaboration among farmers, processors, distributors, investors, development partners and host communities.
He commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Allied Industrialisation, private sector investors and development partners for their contributions to the state’s agricultural transformation.
The governor cited private sector participation and the activities of Songhai Farm as examples of how investment and innovation could improve agricultural productivity and contribute to Enugu’s economic growth.
Agricultural stakeholders at the event with the SSG( middle)
He urged farmers to embrace improved practices and cooperative initiatives, while encouraging young people to see agriculture as a viable business capable of providing sustainable livelihoods.
He also called on processors and investors to take advantage of opportunities in Enugu by adding value to locally produced agricultural commodities.
Governor Mbah said his administration would continue to invest in agricultural infrastructure, strengthen institutions and build partnerships that would support the entire agro-allied industrialisation value chain.
The governor had earlier commissioned an agricultural digital transformation centre , near the state secretariat, aimed at strengthening government planning and service delivery in the sector.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Allied Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Ubru, in his welcome address, said the state had moved beyond subsistence farming towards commercial agricultural production, pointing to the revival of agricultural processing and the emergence of locally branded products.
Exhibition stand
He said the state government through the Enugu United Palm Products,EVOP, produces and exports palm oil. He mentioned other products including garri, potatoes, onions and other locally processed commodities.
Ubru disclosed that the state government had extended about 63,000 interventions to farmers in the current year as part of efforts to strengthen agricultural production and improve their livelihoods.
He added that Governor Mbah had fulfilled the counterpart funding obligations required for agricultural programmes, expressing optimism about continued collaboration with development partners, including the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The commissioner said the administration’s interventions were designed to support farmers, encourage commercial production and position Enugu as a growing agricultural hub.
In his remarks, the Chairman/CEO Tribu hotels and Managing Director of Songhai Farm, Dr Nnamdi Ozor, thanked the governor for creating an enabling environment for agricultural investment, expressing confidence that the state had significant prospects for growth in the sector.
He said the government’s policies and investments were helping to create opportunities for farmers and private sector operators, adding that Enugu could achieve substantial progress by strengthening agricultural production and processing.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Ugwunamba farms, Friday Sani Nnaji expressed satisfaction with the state’s agricultural development, saying the administration had created an environment in which farmers could operate and young people could increasingly participate in the sector.
He commended Governor Mbah for creating a secure, investment-friendly environment that is boosting food production, attracting agricultural investors and promoting large-scale farming.
Nnaji attributed the progress to the governor’s security interventions, agricultural policies, technological innovation and improved access to farmland.
He highlighted the transformation of previously insecurity-prone forests and rural areas into viable farming zones, supported by Forest Guards, community policing, security drones, AI-enabled surveillance cameras and a Command-and-Control Centre.
Nnaji stressed that improved security has restored farmers’ confidence, encouraged private-sector investment and created opportunities for commercial agriculture to thrive across Enugu State.
Speaking on the challenges faced by farmers, Nnaji said the emphasis was shifting from the challenges of farming to innovation, increased yields, industrial development and the conversion of agricultural produce into finished products.
He noted that the emergence of agricultural industries would increase demand for locally produced raw materials, create employment and strengthen the state’s economy.
He encouraged young people to embrace agriculture, commending Governor Mbah for establishing the Smart Green Schools initiative, which incorporates smart farms to expose pupils to agricultural practices from an early age.
According to him, the allocation of land for agricultural activities within the school programme would help introduce children to farming and equip them with practical skills they could develop after completing their education.
He said early exposure to agriculture could encourage entrepreneurship and help young people identify opportunities in food production, processing and related businesses.
Speaking with newsmen, the Enugu State Programme Coordinator of the IFAD-supported Value Chain Development Programme, Dr. Edward Isiwu, also commended the Mbah administration for its investment in agriculture.
In his remarks, the Police public relations officer,Enugu state police command, SP Daniel Ndukwe thanked Governor Mbah for his investments in Agriculture. He assured farmers of provision of adequate security , urging them to feel free and go to farm. SP Ndukwe urged farmers to call the police incase of any threats to their security.
The celebration highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, farmers, development partners and private investors in building a food system that can support sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.
