In a stride towards agricultural development, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has officially commissioned multiple rice and cashew processing centres, along with poultry clusters spanning the state's three senatorial zones. This initiative aims to bolster food production, introduce modern processing methods, and safeguard post-harvest produce.
..."the Aggregation and Processing Centers is equipped to make meaningful contributions to the lives of farmers across the state, in line with Gov. Peter Mbah's visionary leadership" said APPEALS Project Coordinator, Mrs Ihuoma Eze
..."Enugu State's focus on agriculture holds the potential to generate substantial revenue, contributing to the overall prosperity of the state" - Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Enugu State.
This First-of-its-kind occasion which held at Nara in the Nkanu East Local Government Area, marked the inauguration of fifteen Aggregation and Cottage Processing Centres. These facilities, constructed within the initial 100 days of Governor Mbah’s administration, are part of the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS), a World Bank Assisted Project. The primary objective is to assist farmers in storage, processing, and preventing post-harvest losses.
Governor Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the project as a testament to the administration's commitment to elevating food production. He outlined the vision of transforming Enugu State into a net exporter of agricultural products within the next four years. In his words, "The agricultural revolution of the state has moved from pipeline to platform and from template to execution."
“My administration anchors the sustainability of our economy on agriculture, which has the capacity to earn huge revenue for our dear state. With the construction, equipping and use of this Nara rice processing centre by Enugu APPEALS, the agricultural revolution of the state has moved from pipeline to platform and from dream to reality,” he said.
The governor further expressed satisfaction with the impacts of APPEALS on the lives of farmers in the state, saying since its inception in 2019, the project has empowered 8,520 direct beneficiaries, with CIGs/SMEs totaling 2,948 and 1,700 agro-entreprenuers among women, youths and people with disabilities.
“Many farmers in the state in rice, cashew, poultry, aquaculture and cassava value chains have also benefited through capacity trainings, technology demonstrations and knowledge exchange visits which have exposed them to modern agricultural best practices and improved their capacity. Furthermore, Enugu State, through the APPEALS Project, has constructed 15 Aggregation/Processing Centres in cashew, rice and poultry farmers. The centres include Nara, Adani, Ngwo, Orba, Agubuowa, Amechi, Ikpa Market-Nsukka, Udi, Eha-Amufu, Oduma and Akwarri in Eha-Alumona,” the governor stressed.
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| Mrs Ihuoma Eze Acting Coordinator, Enugu APPEALS Project |
“supplied and installed equipment for Rice Centres include paddy precleaner, paddy grader, parboiling/soaking vessels, stream boiler, platform dryers, rice dehusker, rice polisher, destoner, polished rice grader, rice packaging machines, sets of elevators, 40KVA generator, bag closers among others.”
While appreciating the support from the state government which ensured that the projects were completed, She pointed out thus; “It is noteworthy to mention that the completion of all these 15 number Aggregation and Cottage Processing Centres as well as the 10 Energy Intervention sites were expedited and completed within the 100 days of His Excellency, Peter Mbah’s administration. This is a testament of His Excellency’s support to the Project.” She said.
In his interview, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru stated that; Governor Peter Mbah's administration, through the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS), has taken significant strides to boost food production, modernize processing methods, and mitigate post-harvest losses.
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| Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation |
The fifteen Aggregation and Cottage Processing Centres, completed within the first 100 days, exemplify a commitment to transforming Enugu State into a net exporter of agricultural products. The Nara rice processing centre, a testament to this commitment, signifies a shift "from pipeline to platform and from dream to reality."
"the APPEALS Project, under the leadership of Governor Mbah, has empowered thousands of direct beneficiaries, including women, youths, and those with disabilities. The impacts on farmers in various value chains, from rice and cashew to poultry, showcase the project's dedication to capacity building, technology demonstrations, and knowledge exchange"
"As we witness the fruition of these initiatives, I encourage continued collaboration and support to sustain this agricultural revolution. Enugu State's focus on agriculture holds the potential to generate substantial revenue, contributing to the overall prosperity of the state" Hon. Ubru concluded.
In his response, the Executive Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government who also doubles as the chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon Okechukwu Edeh, hailed the project as timely and responsive to the need of Ndi Enugu, especially those in Nkanu East and other agrarian areas had been suffering with post-harvest losses, saying the rice mills, cashew centres and poultry clusters across the state would encourage farmers to embark on industrialized farming and mechanized livestock production to enhance economic growth of the state.
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| Hon. Okechukwu Edeh The Executive Chairman, Enugu East LGA |
Hon. Edeh pleaded to the state youths to consider going into farming with the opportunity the state government had afforded them, assuring that the local government under his leadership would encourage genuine agro-production in Enugu State.
“Let us go into massive farming. People that will buy our products are already waiting for us in the world. I want every one of you to go into agriculture. I want to thank the governor once again for the support and promise fulfilled to our people. We are going to make maximum use of this support and we are sure that the results of this project will soon manifest,” he stated.
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| HRH Igwe Ifeanyi Ogbu (Odenigbo II) Traditional Ruler, Nara Unateze Kingdom |
His his appreciation speech, the Chief host of the event, the Traditional Ruler of Nara Unateze Kingdom, His Royal Highness Igwe Ifeanyi Ogbu (Odenigbo II) commended Gov. Peter Mbah's administration's overarching dedication to alleviating poverty among the people of Enugu State through the APPEALS Project. He commended the State Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mrs Ihuoma Eze, stating that the Commissioning of Nara Rice Processing Centre at Umuiba Nara Unateze by APPEALS Project in partnership with World Bank and Enugu State Government will further enhance the livelihoods of Enugu citizens.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by key stakeholders in the state such as; the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Prince Engr Lawrence Eze, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs Ngozi Enih, Member representing Nkanu East State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Okechukwu Mba, the PDP Youth Leader, Enugu State, Deacon Patrick Okoh, Nkanu East Deputy LGA Chairman, Hon Martins Ndubuisi Agbo, Traditional Rulers, leaders, Political stakeholders, Town Union President Generals and a host of others.
