Agriculture: Land preparation begins at Enugu Produce City
Preparations for the 15,000-hectare Enugu State Produce City have begun in Ikem-Nkwo, Isi-Uzo LGA, with 3,000 hectares already cleared. Workers are removing trees and plowing the land, which was once a haven for kidnappers and wild animals. Alhaji Sani Nnaji, Chairman of Ugwuanama Farms, confirmed that the project, a partnership with the state government, aims to make Enugu a key food producer. Planting of economic trees, cassava, and beans will start soon, with full cultivation expected to begin after the Commissioner for Agriculture’s visit next week. Source: Vanguard
Our Review
The development of the 15,000 hectares for the Enugu State Produce City in Isi-Uzo marks a significant step towards agricultural revitalization in the region. The clearing of 3,000 hectares and the active involvement of machinery and labor indicate a robust approach to transforming previously uncultivated rainforest land into productive farmland. This initiative, driven by the partnership between Ugwuanama Farms Limited and the Enugu State government, aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision to make Enugu a major food basket in Nigeria. The site’s transformation from a kidnapper’s den to a thriving agricultural hub highlights both the challenges and potential of this project. The planned cultivation of economic trees, cassava, and beans showcases a strategic choice of crops that can boost both local food security and economic growth. The impending visit by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture to launch the planting season underscores the project’s high-level support and commitment. This ambitious project, if successful, can serve as a model for large-scale agricultural development in Nigeria, showcasing the benefits of public-private partnerships in the agricultural sector.
