Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, is seeking new agricultural investment to boost food production and industrial growth and urged Presco Plc to begin its proposed project at Ulonna Farm Settlement in Umuahia.
Otti wants Abia to produce enough food for its people and export surplus produce. He announced the plan on Thursday at the third Michael Okpara Memorial Lecture Series. The event took place at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
The governor announced a steering committee to develop the state’s agricultural sector. He will lead the committee, which will include government officials, university representatives, PAYAZA Africa Limited and other stakeholders.
The committee will identify crops and other farm products that Abia can produce competitively. It will also recommend investments, infrastructure and technology to support large-scale farming.
Otti said his administration would build on the agricultural vision of the late Dr Michael Okpara, former Premier of the defunct Eastern Region. However, he stressed the need to adopt modern technology.
“I want us to start with Ulonna farm settlements. We may not go back to what Michael Okpara did in his days. We want to take it to this level now, where we introduce technology,” he said.
He added that Abia aimed to become a net exporter of food, rather than depend only on local production.
Otti also urged Presco Plc to begin its proposed investment at Ulonna Farm Settlement. The company specialises in oil palm farming and the processing of palm products.
The governor made the appeal during a meeting with a Presco delegation at Government House, Umuahia. The company’s chairman, Rasheed Sarumi, led the delegation.
Otti said the state government had about 4,200 hectares of land at the settlement. Presco is seeking about 10,000 hectares for its proposed project.
“We have Ulonna Farm Settlement that belongs to the government. We have about 4,200 hectares at Ulonna,” he said. He added that the government would work to secure the remaining land.
The governor acknowledged concerns over land ownership in some communities. He urged Presco to engage community leaders to resolve disputes and build trust with residents.
Otti assured the company that his administration would help it secure the additional land. He noted that the process would take time but pledged the government’s support.
Sarumi expressed confidence in the proposed investment. He said Abia had a government that understood business and could support the project.
Otti also welcomed a proposal to establish an Agricultural Technology Hub at the university. The hub would support the use of research and innovation to improve farming.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, said Okpara’s vision showed how agriculture could drive economic growth. She highlighted the role of research, education, rural development and infrastructure.
Delivering the memorial lecture, Seyi Ebenezer urged young Nigerians to embrace technology and digital innovation in agriculture. He said farming should go beyond traditional methods of cultivating land.
The university’s Pro-Chancellor, Fidelis Edeh, also spoke on the importance of good governance. Meanwhile, Prince Arthur Eze, represented by Prince Emeka Eze, praised Otti’s leadership.
The proposed Presco project could expand commercial farming in Abia. The state’s wider agricultural plan also seeks to improve food security, create jobs and grow exports.
