——— Says, farming in its raw form, without value addition, can only amount to subsistence and not real economic growth.

The 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.

He noted that while agriculture remains a backbone of survival for many Nigerians, it must be backed by processing industries, storage facilities, and manufacturing to create jobs, increase revenue, and ensure food security.

According to him, “His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, who is an Industrialist, has come to move Enugu into an era of industrialization, and that is why he is reviving the moribund industries, linking production to industrialization.”

Ogbuekwe emphasized that When agricultural produce is not processed, preserved, or linked to industries, farmers earn little while post-harvest losses remain high.

He, therefore, emphasized that deliberate government policies by the State Governor will encourage agro-industrialization, attract investors, and empower farmers to move beyond mere survival into wealth creation.

Ogbuekwe stated emphatically that only through industrialization can agriculture drive sustainable development in Enugu State and Nigeria at large.