Hunger: Expert Advocates Estate Farming to Ensure Food Security
By Polycarp Ifeanyi
Renowned business expert and Founder of Strong Africa Summits, Hon. Chioma Ugwu, has advocated estate farming as a strategic solution to food scarcity and a pathway to achieving food security in Nigeria.
Ugwu made the assertion while speaking with journalists after a seminar organised by the Farmtech Business Forum (FBF) at the Presidential Hall, Patterson Auditorium, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, where she served as co-host.
She urged estate developers and investors to consider diverting funds into estate farming to boost food production and address hunger.
“What we want is innovation and strategies to achieve better estate farming. Ninety-eight per cent of housing estate problems are being solved in Anambra State, but nobody is talking about farming estates. Farming is very important because we can’t just live in a house where we don’t have food to eat,” she said.
Ugwu stressed that estate farming should become a collective responsibility, adding that individuals could participate either as ghost partners or physical partners.
“When your strength cannot speak for you, let your money speak for you. It is imperative that all of us should be involved in farming estates,” she added.
The business expert said her target audience includes members of the general public and people interested in creating value. She noted that anyone interested in establishing an estate farm could approach her company for guidance and support.
She revealed that her organisation had, for the past three years, been hosting summits focused on value creation and empowerment.
According to her, she partnered with the Anambra State Government on the “1 Youth 2 Skills” initiative. She added that her organisation empowered women in value-driven businesses last year and would empower more women by December this year.
Ugwu further disclosed that she recently hosted a summit of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) across different sectors, with the aim of driving she said. the message that value precedes success.
“The value you create will definitely speak for you. That is why you must keep acquiring knowledge and keep pushing for a better tomorrow. You cannot just sit down and expect the change you want to come. Let the change you want begin with you as a person. The change we want in Nigeria starts from you,”
“Value is my target. Even if there is no money today, value will definitely bring money tomorrow,” she said..
