Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu state Government has approved 15,000 hectares of land for Ugwuanama farms Limited, for Agricultural production in Isi-Uzo local Government Area of the state.
The state government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the farms with the view to ensuring food sufficiency in the state.
Speaking after signing the MoU in Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah described the partnership as significant and symbolic.
He congratulated the Ugwuanama farms Limited, and expressed the hope for a good partnership with the farm.
Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, also said they looked forward to seeing those milestones they agreed with the farm as a partnership.
He also said they looked forward to seeing an increased yield and Increased Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Ugwuanama farms Limited, Alhaji Sani Nnaji, said they had started production; as they were producing, they will be processing.
According to him, this was to crash the cost, so that we have cheap food to eat and to creating jobs for youths.
“The aim again is to get out-growers, get youths, women back to farm.
“Apart from 15,000 hectares, I have done it in Isi-Izo, with 1500 farmers.
“We are going to have over 5,000 farmers cultivating their own farmlands.
“We have already established cassava processing plant in Isi-Uzo and we have cultivated cassava of more than 1000 hectares; so, when cassava is due for processing, we will start cultivation immediately,” Nnaji said.
He further revealed that Ugwuanama Farms had started majorly with Rice, cassava, oil palm, maize and yam.
On the number of job to be created, Nnaji said they were expecting about 200,000 to 300,000 jobs to be created.
“We have a lot of partners who are coming and we are brining in a lot of machines.
“We are going to develop a very good smart farm in Isi-Uzo,” he said.
