Enugu state government says it has put in place pillars to derive agricultural development in the state , laying foundation that will enable agriculture to contribute at least 40% towards the state’s $30 billion GDP target by 2031.
The state governor, Dr Peter Mbah made this known in a speech delivered on Thursday , 16Th October at the celebration of the 2025 World Food Day, held at the ministry of Agriculture premises, Enugu..
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah highlighted some of the key pillars driving the transformation. These included , expanding land access, security, and land tenure through the Enugu State agricultural Land Bank, which is 300,000 hectares of arable land.
Pix: Gov Mbah’s Representative, SSG, Prof Onyia
He said already, 130,000 hectares have been secured with the full consent of rural communities, laying a foundation for sustainable growth and reduced conflict.
Governor Mbah also said they were investivng in mechanisation and capacity, disclosing that ,” through the Enugu state Notre Assembly and Service centre, they were deploying 1,000 tractors , out off which 103 have been delivered ,98 are on order and 800 will be assembled locally to boost timely planting and harvesting
Pix: Commissioner for Agriculture and agro- industrialization ,Dr. Ubru( L) SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia(R)
He further said they were unlocking opportunities for smallholder farmers across all 260 wards through farm estates that provide cleared land , improved seedlings, mechanisation and guaranteed market access via the Enugu state marketing company.
The Governor disclosed that by clustering farmers into cooperatives , they were helping them to access finance, strengthen governance and deepen their role in value chains..
Pix: Commissioner for Agriculture and agro- industrialization, Dr. Ubru
Highlighting other pillars, he said, they were embracing climate -smart production and value addition, establishing greenhouse clusters for year- round cultivation using water -saving technologies .
On moribund assets, Governor Mbah said they were rehabilitating key state assets such as Enugu United Palm Products Ltd (EUPPL) Enugu Sunrise Flour Mill, and Songhai Heneke Integrated Farm to serve as modern platforms for processing and marketing.
He added that they were pursuing diversification and export readiness through.cocoa development, cassava-to-bioethanol value chains, Special Agro-Processing Zones and livestock development .
“Enugu’s leadership in cassava, exemplified by Enugu garri, is strengthening domestic and export markets while reducing post-harvest losses’,he said .
Governor Mbah while speaking on his administration’s strength, said, “Strong governance and GDP growth anchor our efforts. Agriculture is at the heart of our development agenda, with a clear, pragmatic pathway built on public investment. private sector participation, and strategic partnerships. This foundation leads us to a crucial area of impact, the concrete support we are providing to smallholders and rural communities” .
He said in 2024, his administration distributed over 12,000 bags of fertilizers and other inputs, including power tillers and solar powered water pumps, free of charge to registered farmers.
Pix1 SPA Legal,Njeze( L) MD, UgwuAnama Farms,Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji (R)
On his administration’s support to farmers this year, he said, “this year, over 40,000 smallholders are receiving fertilizers, cassava stems, improved rice seeds, maize, and herbicides at no cost”
The governor added that through partnerships with development partners IFAD, LPRESS, ATASP-1, and others, assets worth billions of Naira are being delivered with up to 70 percent subsidies.
Pix: Some of the farmers at the event
He explained that these interventions go hand in hand with broader investments in rural schools and healthcare, “proving that agricultural growth and human development must move together because, food is foundational, it sustains health, enables learning, fuels productivity, and strengthens communities.
” This is why our strategy focuses on land access. mechanization, market linkages, value addition, climate resilience, and strong partnerships”, he said.
On what the future holds in the agricultural sector, Governor Mbah said their commitments were clear. His words, ” Looking ahead, our commitments are clear. We will expand land access, transparently deliver and maintain locally assembled tractors, roll out farm estates across all wards , scale climate -smart systems, strengthen value chains, expand processing capacity, sustain input support, and continue rural investments that build human capital”.
He urged partners and academia, ,civil society organisations, donors, private and sectors to remain engaged and invest in Enugu’s agricultural future, saying, ” together ,we can secure nutritious food, raise farmer incomes, .and power inclusive growth for Ndi Enugu.’
Pix: Commissioner for Agriculture and agro- industrialization, Dr Patrick Ubru
Earlier in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Dr. Patrick Ubru , said the event was to commemorate the 2025 World Food Day and to reaffirm with pride and purpose, the Enugu State Government’s commitment under the visionary leadership of Governor Mbah.
He said theme for this year’s event , “Hand in Hand for Better Food and Better Future” calls for collaboration, adding that , “together, we are determined to feed Ndi Enugu, position our state as the food basket of Nigeria, and build a strong hub for value-added agricultural exports”.
Dr. Ubru hinted that nearly one third of Nigeria’s labour force engaged in agriculture. He noted that the mission in agricultural sector is more than economic growth. “It is about creating jobs, empowering rural communities, and ensuring dignity for every farmer,” Ubru said.
Pix: SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia ( L) Commissioner for Agriculture and agro-Industrialization,Dr Patrick Ubru ( R)
According to him, the theme for this year’s event , “Hand in Hand for Better Food and Better Future,” reminds us that progress comes when every hand plays a part..Farmers, processors, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and investors must work in harmony”.
He explained that the journey.so far is not a collection of isolated projects, but a well-aligned plan designed to turn ambition into tangible impact for our people.
He thanked Governor Mbah for his support, noting that setting up of seed lab, seed gallery at the ministry of agriculture, distribution of inputs to farmers were possible because of the governor ‘s support.
The commissioner thanked the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, for his support and also thanked
Pix: Prof Mrs Anyadike, UNN see
the Managing Director of UgwuAnama Farms, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, for his contributions to agricultural growth, Prof. Ken Ife and Bio Resources and Technology Limited for advancing the cassava value chain, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Enugu State University of Science and Technology for their academic partnerships, Manamuz4work and financial support, Indomie Nigeria for supporting food security and nutrition, and all donor agencies for their steadfasßt partnership.
Pix: Managing Director,UgwuAnama Farms, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji
Goodwill messages were received from the managing director,UgwuAnama Farms, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, University of Nigeria,Nsukka and Enugu state University of Science and Technology, (ESUT) among others
Pix: Prof Emeka Nze, Dean , Faculty of Agriculture, ESUT
They expressed the confidence that , “we can build better food and better future, working together”. The partners assured continuous partnership with Enugu state government.
In an interview , the managing director of UgwuAnama Farms, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji commended Governor Mbah ‘s visionary leadership in the state. He lauded the establishment of farm estate in the 260 wards in the state , disclosing that agricultural development in Enugu state has reduced insecurity in the state.
He said he had bomber harvest in cassava plantation and his farm supplied cassava stems in the state this year.
Highlights of the event were exhibition of Agricultural.produce and cultural dance presented by the Enugu state cultural troop.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
