Chairman of the Anambra Imo River Basin Development Authority, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, has decried the sharp decline in agricultural productivity across large stretches of farmland in the South East, blaming the situation on poor cooperation between the authority and state governments.
Anosike spoke on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, where he led members of the authority’s management committee as part of a regional tour.
He said over one thousand three hundred hectares of land previously devoted to rice cultivation, cassava production and fish farming were no longer operating at optimal capacity.
According to him, the Federal Government’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security makes it imperative for river basin authorities and state governments to rebuild partnerships that will restore food production.
He expressed the committee’s readiness to collaborate with Abia State and the South East Development Commission, particularly in agricultural development.
The authority’s chairman explained that the visit was designed to formally introduce the management team and identify practical areas of cooperation across the region.
He noted that Abia State was selected as the first stop due to its strategic role in agriculture, which aligns with the core responsibilities of the authority.
Anosike also praised the Otti administration for noticeable improvements in infrastructure and its stated commitment to sustainable development.
In his response, Governor Otti welcomed the delegation and assured them of his administration’s willingness to work with the authority to reposition agriculture in the state.
He said recent improvements in electricity supply had helped stimulate business activities, especially in Aba and Umuahia, creating a stronger foundation for agro based investments.
The governor urged the authority to pursue realistic and result oriented projects, stressing that Abia remains open to partnerships that deliver measurable benefits.
He approved the setting up of a joint technical committee to drive the collaboration and directed the Commissioners for Agriculture, Lands and Environment, alongside the Managing Director of the Abia State Investment Agency, to liaise directly with the authority.
