The South East Development Commission (SEDC), on Wednesday, has identified about 4,000 hectares of land in Enugu State for its proposed agro-mechanisation programme aimed at boosting food production, commercial agriculture and youth empowerment.

 

The development follows the successful conclusion of community stakeholder engagements across the state’s three senatorial districts ahead of the official flag-off of the initiative.

 

The Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Cliff Ogbede, disclosed this after leading a team on site assessment visits to determine the suitability of the proposed locations.

 

In a statement, Ogbede said the team inspected approximately 2,000 hectares of land in Nkpologwu, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, in Enugu North Senatorial District, and another 2,000 hectares in Elugwu Akwu-Achi, Oji River Local Government Area, in Enugu West Senatorial District.

 

He confirmed that community reception of the commission’s proposed Agro-Mechanisation projects is highly favorable

 

Ogbede said: “In preparation for the flag-off of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Agro-Mechanisation projects, my team and I, supported by the Enugu State Government (ENSG), successfully concluded a series of community stakeholder engagements across Enugu’s three senatorial zones.

 

“These engagements are foundational to the SEDC Vision 2050 and the South East Agricultural Development Programme (SEADP), aimed at driving food security, commercial agriculture, and youth empowerment.

 

“Data indicates that 80 percent of agro-infrastructure delays result from inadequate community engagement. Consequently, these sessions prioritized early buy-in, land access clarity, and security assurance to ensure the seamless establishment of mechanised pilot farms.”

 

Ogbede noted that the team held a pilot site inspection on July 10 in Enugu North Senatorial District at Nkpologwu, Uzo-Uwani LGA with the Chairman of the Local Government. Hon. Barr. Chijioke Ezugwu.

 

He added, “The next day, July 11, we were at Enugu West Senatorial zone, precisely Elugwu Akwu-Achi, Oji River LGA, with the Chairman, Hon. Greg Chijioke Anyaebudike, and the following day, July 12, at Enugu East Senatorial District, visiting Nomeh Unataeze in Nkanu East LGA, with the Chairman, Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh.”

 

Providing field highlights, Ogbede said in Uzo-Uwani, the SEDC team successfully engaged with leaders and members of the Nkpologwu Community, in addition to inspecting approximately 2,000 hectares of land.

 

SEDC boss further said that the leadership of the LGA, under the Council Chairman Hon. Barr. Chijioke Ezugwu, enthused that SEDC’s entry into Nkpologu is a “scaling-up” of the agricultural potential that the local and state governments have been working to unlock, thus aligning perfectly with the SEDC’s goal of leveraging underutilized land.

 

He said the LGA Chairman hosted his team at his residence before addressing the wider community at the village hall.

 

He noted that the community expressed strong appreciation for Governor Mbah’s administration and the SEDC for their efforts towards the successful take-off of the programme.

 

The ED added that he used the opportunity to clarify the commission’s mandate, and dispel notions that the SEDC is merely a conference-based entity, by demonstrating tangible, strategy-based approach.

 

He stated that a site visit to the 2,000-hectare contiguous land was conducted after the interaction.

 

“At Nkanu East, the team was officially received by the Local Government Chairman, the President-General of the Town Union, Dr. Chudi Anyianuka, and traditional leaders led by the Onowu, Chief Friday, in Nomeh Unataeze.

 

“The communities view these projects as a collaborative effort with the Enugu State Government to scale up local farming operations. The primary success indicators observed were high-level attendance, presence of both political and traditional leadership. The active participation and voiced enthusiasm from elders and community leaders showed strong buy-in,” he said.

 

Ogbede confirmed the verification of large, contiguous land tracts suitable for commercial mechanisation.