By Nigeria Magazine Desk
A major agricultural development project has commenced in Enugu State with the South East Development Commission (SEDC) flagging off a 200-hectare integrated model farm at Nomeh Unateze in Nkanu East Local Government Area.
The project, launched under the South East Agro-Development Programme, is being implemented in partnership with the Enugu State Government and is designed to strengthen food production, create jobs, develop agricultural skills and improve value chains across the South-East.
Unlike a conventional farm focused on a single agricultural activity, the integrated project will bring together dairy, poultry, fisheries, fodder production, greenhouse farming, agro-processing and mechanisation. It will also incorporate renewable energy and practical agricultural training.
The project is expected to support more than 1,000 direct jobs when fully operational, while also creating opportunities for surrounding farmers and other participants within the agricultural value chain.
As part of the initiative, an out-grower programme is expected to connect smallholder farmers in surrounding communities to agricultural inputs, technical assistance, mechanisation services and markets. Reports indicate that about 300 households within a 10-kilometre radius are expected to participate.
The farm will also serve as a practical training centre, providing opportunities for people to gain skills in areas including dairy production, poultry, fisheries, fodder and silage production, and agricultural mechanisation.
According to SEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Okoye, the initiative is intended to demonstrate how land, technology, mechanisation, production, processing, training and markets can be brought together within one agricultural system.
The Commission says the Nomeh Unateze project will serve as a pilot and practical model for similar agricultural and agro-mechanisation interventions across the five states of the South-East.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by government officials, including Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, SEDC Chairman Emeka Wogu, SEDC Managing Director Mark Okoye, Enugu State Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
The project adds agriculture, food production, employment and skills development to ongoing efforts to strengthen economic opportunities across the South-East.
