The Enugu State government has announced that its partnership with the federal government on cassava-bioethanol production is yielding desired results, with intensified cassava cultivation aimed at boosting the state’s economy, addressing unemployment, and enhancing security.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Mr. Patrick Ubru made this known during a federal government delegation’s inspection tour of cassava-bioethanol projects in Aninri, Isi-Uzo, and Udi Local Government areas.
The delegation included officials from the Federal Ministry of Budget, Economic and National Planning, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, and Prof Ken Ife, promoter of Biosources and Technology Ltd.
According to him, over 1,000 hectares of cassava farms were cultivated in the three council areas last year as part of the first phase of the project. Notably, the cleared land had previously served as hideouts for hoodlums and kidnappers, who terrorized local communities.
He noted that the state government is set to construct over 20 kilometres of access roads to farmlands in Okpanku. This will help facilitate the transportation of farm produce within the area.
Ubru shared that 50% payment has also been made for the construction of a 22-kilometer road from Ikem in the Isi Uzo council area to the border in Benue State.
He further stated that the state government is collaborating with the federal government to establish a military base in Isi Uzo and that they would soon establish the Agro Rangers, a security outfit dedicated to ensuring safety in the farmlands.
Mr. Olaifa Fatai, who led the federal government delegation, commended the state government for their efforts towards empowering women to participate in agriculture. He encouraged the female farmers to take advantage of the support programmes from the state and federal governments.
He also expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in the cassava-bioethanol project, which aims to replace fossil fuel with ethanol.
The Enugu State government had also allocated 15,000 hectares of land to Ugwu Anama Farms Ltd for the cultivation of cassava and other crops at the Enugu State Produce City in Ikem-Nkwo, Isi Uzo Local Government Area.
According to Ubru, this is part of the state government’s plan to acquire 120,000 hectares of land across the state for the cultivation of various crops, in partnership with private sector investors.
The farm manager, Alhaji Friday Nnaji, who welcomed the team, noted that the farm employed the use of smart mechanization to transform the rural areas from dormant to productive zones.
He emphasized that this has resulted in the creation of employment for over 5000 individuals.
“We are not only contributing to food security in the state,” he remarked. “We are equally fighting insecurity by engaging massively in agriculture, clearing the bushes, and getting youths engaged with employment.
“Right now, aside from the indirect workers, I have over 5000 people who are gainfully employed in my farms. So, I appreciate the vision of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in turning the state into an agricultural state.”