The Enugu State Government has acquired an expanse of land for Cocoa plantation, this is in line with the vision of his Excellency the Governor of Enugu State Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to move the State’s economy from 4.4billion to 30billion dollars within the next few years.
The Hon.commissioner for Ministry of Agriculture and Agro industrialization, Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, made this known when he paid a visit to the people of Idodo communities at Igwe Hyacinth Edeani’s palace.
Hon Ubru commended the three autonomous communities, Ohani Amechi Idodo, Eziama Amechi Idodo and Amechi Idodo in agreement for donation of 20 hectares of land located at Abari for cocoa plantation,requesting that more land should be donated if available,adding that the 20 hectares acquired by the Enugu State is for demonstration farm advising them to map out some land for their cocoa plantation business.
According to him, the donation of their land to the State Government for cocoa production will go a long way in developing the communities by creating more jobs for the youths and women as well as lessen unemployment in the communities and the state noting that the establishment of Cocoa production in their area will contribute greatly in increase of Cocoa as an international export and cash crops for Nigeria.
He went further to explain that Enugu State Government will acquire and developed 300,000 hectares of land in Nkanu East and other LGAs through the Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with the Local Government Areas for Cocoa production which the 20 hectares donated by your communities were part of the acquisition adding that the Ministry will carry out a massive training and capacity building for the farmers as well as sensitizing farmers on the benefits of Cocoa production.
Hon. Ubru noted that cocoa farming presents a viable investment opportunities to local investors in agribusinesses promised that Enugu State government will assist in acquiring improved varieties of cocoa seedlings to the communities free of charge and also create a market for farmers by linking them to off takers.
Agric commissioner further outlined the requirements needed from the communities as follows:
1. The perimeter survey of Idodo community mapped/ provided by Cocoa plantation.
2. Engagement of a professional surveyor to survey the area as designated by the Idodo community for this laudable project from Ministry of Agriculture and Agro industrialization.
3. Consent letter from the community to the Hon.commissioner for Ministry of Agriculture and Agro industrialization signifying/representing the release of the hectares by the Idodo community.
4. Consent letter should be endorsed by the two Igwe, PG and possibly the land community members/power of Attorneys members.ie the representative of the youths and women.
In his words, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Agro industrialization Mr. Victor Ngwu expressed his gratitude over the donation of land by the communities for cocoa production noted that the main reason for their visit is to ascertain if the communities have agreed on donating the land to the government and to avoid conflicts when the work will commence. He also mentioned that since the government has approved the establishment of cocoa production, the Ministry needs a letter of consent from them to finalize the agreement.
Earlier speaking the HRHs the Traditional ruler of Ohani Amechi Idodo autonomous community , Igwe Hycinth Edeani and his counterpart Igwe Engr. J.O Ngene, the traditional ruler of Eziama autonomous community welcomed the Hon.commissioner and his team to their community assured the Enugu State Government that they will not relent on the agreement made by the three autonomous communities in donating their lands to them adding that the conditions attached to the land will be revealed later.
Also speaking the President General of Ohani Amechi Idodo, Mr Sebastian Ngwu ,Representative of the Youths, Mr Sunday Oze, the woman leader, Mrs Victoria Amushi, a representative of Amechi Idodo Hon. Mike Agu, a representative of Eziama Hon.Sylvanus Ugwu all agreed that they were aware that the three autonomous communities Ohani, Eziama and Amechi Idodo donated a land located at Abari to Enugu State Government for Cocoa production.
The Hon. Commissioner was accompanied by the Lagal Officer, Mrs Ngozi Ibekwe ,9the Personnel Assistant to the Hon. commissioner, Mr. Isaac Azikiwe and Deputy Director in Agriculture Department, Mr. Theophilus Ivo.
Some of the villagers that were in attendance include the Onowu of Ohani Amechi Idodo Chief Dominic Abonyi, the President Flourish farmers multi purpose cooperative society Ltd. Mrs Ngozi Mbah, Mr Bony Oze,Mr James Nnaji, Mr James Ajaegbu, others were Calistus Nwangwuma, Hycinth Ngwu, Sunday Agbo,Malachy Ede, Ignatus Oze, Slyvanus Ogba, Felix Mbah, Michael yikwe among others.
