———Says Farm Estates in all electoral wards is a necessary boost to agro-industrialisation.

Special Adviser on Agriculture to the Governor of Enugu State, Michael Ogbuekwe, made this known while appearing on a programme Beyond the Headlines on Freedom Square Tv, anchored by Uchenna Cyril Anioke.

Ogbuekwe emphasized that the expansion of farm estates, into every electoral wards across Enugu State is a strategic move that will significantly accelerate agro-industrialisation.

He described the programme as a deliberate effort to move the state’s agricultural sector beyond subsistence farming towards value-added production and sustainable agro-business.

He stated that bringing organised farm estates to every ward creates the scale and structure required for processing, storage and market linkages, which are the very ingredients for agro-industrialisation.

According to him ” it is a partnership between the State Government and Local Government and that green houses are also being utilized to produce vegetables.”

Ogbuekwe lauded the initiative stating that it will provide small holder farmers with access to improved seedlings, mechanised services, extension support and shared infrastructure- such as cold storage and communal processing centres.

He made known, that clustering production within ward-level estates reduces post-harvest losses, lowers transaction costs and makes it easier for processors and investors to source consistent volumes of raw materials.

Ogbuekwe, also highlighted the socio-economic benefits like job creation along the value chain, increased incomes for rural households, and stronger food security for the state.

He stated, that it is not only about more food, it’s about transforming agriculture into a business that creates employment and feeds our emerging industries.

Ogbuekwe urged stakeholders, farmers, local government councils and the private sector to collaborate closely.

He concluded by calling on investors to capitalise on predictable, ward-level supply as the programme scales up, saying that guaranteed off-take and coordinated production will make Enugu a competitive agro-industrial hub.