Anambra Eyes Agro-Industrial Boom, Unveils Tuber Plant
By Ifeizu Joe
The Anambra State Government has revealed plans to industrialise agriculture in the state and enable farmers to earn foreign exchange through the export of their produce.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ben Odoemena, disclosed this on Wednesday during the inauguration of Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited, a tuber crop processing company located in Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The company was founded by renowned industrialist and businessman, Chief Ikenna Okafor.
Odoemena stated that the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is committed to supporting farmers to embrace industrial-scale agriculture instead of subsistence farming, which is mainly limited to local consumption.
“We will encourage farmers to engage in commercial-scale farming, and this will not only guarantee food sufficiency but also enable farmers to earn foreign exchange. With the establishment of this tuber crop processing plant, there will no longer be fears of unsold produce rotting away, as such produce can now be processed and exported.
“I am delighted that my first assignment after being sworn in is the inauguration of an agro-processing plant that will ensure zero waste in tuber crop production. What we have here reflects the model of agriculture practised in developed economies.
“In Anambra, we want to support industries like this because the Soludo administration has clear plans to promote industrialised farming. We have gone beyond the era of merely planting, harvesting and consuming. We now want to cultivate, consume and export in order to create wealth for our people.
“We want industries like this to drive agriculture and support the vision we have for the sector because if farmers harvest produce and there are no buyers, the produce will eventually waste. However, this company has made it easier for us to discuss the industrialisation of agriculture in practical terms. This is one of the critical areas Anambra intends to invest in, and we will continue to support entrepreneurs like this.
“The technology deployed by this company will help ensure that farmers’ products are processed and exported, thereby enabling them to earn foreign exchange from their produce.” he said.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited, Chief Ikenna Okafor, stressed that food security is fundamental to the success and stability of any society.
He disclosed that his company recently ventured into large-scale yam cultivation on a 200-plot farmland in Ufuma and has already begun earning foreign exchange from its produce.
Okafor explained that the motivation behind establishing the tuber crop processing company was to eliminate waste associated with unsold farm produce.
According to him, the company will process unsold tuber crops for farmers to prevent spoilage, package the products for export, and remit proceeds to the farmers after deducting processing and handling charges.
According to him:“We have secured approvals from food processing regulatory agencies in America, Europe, the United Kingdom, as well as NAFDAC in Nigeria. We will process yams, potatoes, cassava and other tuber crops, ensuring that no part of the harvest goes to waste.
“Our goal is to create employment opportunities while also helping farmers export their produce and earn foreign exchange.”
The inauguration ceremony was attended by various farmers’ groups from across Anambra State, alongside government officials who inspected the processing machines displayed by the company.
The Director of the company, Dr. Esther Okafor, described the initiative as innovative and commendable, while praising the chairman for his passion for creativity and groundbreaking ideas.
