Enugu earmarks N2b for farm estates in 2025

The Enugu State Government, says it has earmarked N2 billion in 2025, for farm estates across the 260 wards in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr Patrick Ubru, disclosed this on Monday in Enugu.

Ubru explained that the initiative by the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah, was to ensure that each ward in every locality in the state, was able to feed itself as well as ensure food sufficiency.

He said that residents of the various wards and locality would be taught best agronomy practices and introduced to high-yield seedlings and stems as well as land and space management.

According to him,” The One Political Ward, One Farm Estate Initiative’’ will be a game-changer for our people, as our agriculture-loving governor is putting everything in place to ensure that our people get their maximum benefits.

“It will be done in hectares of land, where all types of farming activities such as crop farming, animal husbandry, poultry, horticulture/exotic plant farming, and fish farming among others will be practiced.”

The commissioner added that the state government would actively collaborate with the local government councils to ensure that the initiative work efficiently.

He also said that the government would engage the people, especially youths, in each locality to take ownership and participate in the initiative as it holds lots of benefits for them.

” The One Political Ward, One Farm Estate initiative, will solve so many issues particularly food insecurity.

“The issue of incessant crises between farmers and herders will also be solved because the farm estates will be fenced round.

“This is a vision and initiative by Dr Peter Mbah, to ensure that every issue concerning crises between herders and farmers are nip in the bud.

“When there is massive productivity and production in the farming estates, it will create employment, especially for the youths,” he said.

Ubru, also disclosed that the state government, would collaborate with the 17 local government chairmen to put in place 24 hours security and monitoring within the farm estates.