Enugu State is taking bold strides toward revolutionizing its agricultural sector as part of a sweeping initiative aimed at securing food sufficiency, enhancing economic productivity, and addressing pressing security challenges. In a development that promises to reshape the state’s socioeconomic landscape, the government has launched a comprehensive farm estate programme that targets all 260 electoral wards within the state.
This new direction signals the government’s determination to reposition Enugu as a central hub for agricultural production, leveraging its vast arable land, human capital, and strategic location. Spearheaded by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, the programme is set to usher in a new era of industrial-scale farming supported by mechanization, community participation, and a robust security framework.
A key component of the agricultural plan is the enlistment of a distinguished agro-preneur, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, as the technical adviser and lead consultant for the initiative. Alhaji Nnaji, who hails from Ugwuanama in Mbu Amon, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, is a veteran in agricultural development with established mega farms in Zamfara and Jigawa states. Responding to the governor’s call, he has returned to his home state to contribute his experience to a venture of historic proportions.
At the heart of the ongoing transformation is the development of Farm Estates across all wards of the state. Each ward is mandated to dedicate at least 200 hectares of land to agriculture. These lands are to be fenced, cleared, and fully equipped with modern farming machinery. The government has already commenced the distribution of over 1,000 tractors to support the mechanization drive.
Each ward-based estate is expected to provide a minimum of 200 direct employment opportunities, especially to the youth. Beyond job creation, the estates will promote a sustainable food system, reduce the state’s dependence on imported food, and empower local farmers to participate in a value-driven agricultural economy.
In Isi-Uzo, a region that has experienced a remarkable shift in both agricultural and security terms, the transformation is palpable. Alhaji Nnaji confirmed that he had signed a 15,000-hectare land lease agreement with the Enugu State government. The land, now home to Ugwuanama Farms Limited and Produce City, stretches across key communities like Mbu and Ikem-Nkwo. Once considered buffer zones that were inaccessible and prone to criminal activities, these areas have been redeveloped with road networks, farm infrastructure, and security installations.
Alhaji Nnaji emphasized that this shift has brought peace to communities that once struggled with insecurity and underdevelopment. With dense vegetation cleared, access roads opened, and military patrols in place, criminal elements have been displaced. The result is a community that is now focused on productivity and growth.
The agricultural strategy also includes key infrastructure projects at different stages of development. Notably, the Akpofu Farm Estate in Nkanu East Local Government is nearing 90% completion. Additional estates are being established in Ette (Igbo-Eze North), Umabi (Udi), and parts of Enugu East. These farms are not just cultivation centers but agro-industrial hubs that integrate processing, packaging, and distribution within the agricultural value chain.
In an effort to address the herder-farmer clashes that have plagued various parts of Enugu, the government’s plan includes designated ranching zones. These zones will serve as controlled environments for livestock rearing, thereby mitigating indiscriminate grazing and land encroachment. Land within these zones can be leased by both indigenes and non-indigenes under strict compliance with land use regulations.
Security considerations are a major factor in the entire framework. According to Alhaji Nnaji, the strategy to reclaim forests through organized farming has a dual benefit. It creates jobs and boosts food production while dismantling the hideouts used by criminal groups. He stated that several volatile areas bordering other states have seen a reduction in crime thanks to these initiatives. The creation of accessible farm roads in these regions further enhances surveillance and policing.
In reinforcing the economic goals of the project, Alhaji Nnaji noted that with 200 hectares per ward across 260 wards, the total arable land earmarked for cultivation will exceed 52,000 hectares. The government anticipates that within two to three years, Enugu will not only be self-sufficient in food production but also capable of exporting surplus produce to other regions and international markets.
One of the significant strengths of this agricultural blueprint is its commitment to quality. The National Seeds Selection Council is involved in the process, ensuring that only certified high-yield seeds are used. This guarantees that the output from these farms will meet both local consumption and export standards.
Contrary to public skepticism, Alhaji Nnaji clarified that the initiative is not a covert land acquisition agenda. Instead, it is a community-first model that encourages local ownership, participation, and benefit sharing. The government is inviting communities to either utilize their allocated land directly for farming and livestock ventures or partner with the state for developmental use. The profits, employment opportunities, and infrastructural growth, he said, will remain within the communities.
A unique feature of the initiative is its emphasis on youth inclusion. The programme strongly advocates for young people to engage in agriculture as a profitable and dignified business. Through farming and livestock rearing, the youth are positioned to become key drivers of the state’s economy. Government support in terms of training, mechanization, and access to markets makes it a viable venture for new entrants.
Alhaji Nnaji also brought attention to the statistics of meat consumption in Enugu, highlighting that around 5,000 cows are slaughtered monthly in the state. This figure, he argued, supports the case for localized animal husbandry. By encouraging cattle ranching and livestock farming within Enugu, the state can shift the economic benefits from external suppliers to local producers, thereby retaining wealth and stimulating internal growth.
He stressed that Governor Mbah’s agenda is not to dispossess people of their land but to mobilize it for collective good. In his words, “The governor came to work for the people, not to take their land.” He urged residents to trust the vision of the government, take ownership of their roles in the project, and work towards transforming Enugu into a model of agricultural excellence.
The implications of this reform are wide-ranging. Apart from the obvious food and job security, there are benefits in the areas of education, healthcare, and urban-rural balance. As farming communities become more viable, there will be a natural redistribution of population and economic activity from overcrowded cities to flourishing rural areas. Schools and health centers will follow the population trends, thereby bridging the rural-urban divide.
Additionally, agro-processing industries are expected to spring up around the farm estates. These include mills, cold storage facilities, packaging plants, and transport services. Such development will increase the state’s internally generated revenue, create secondary employment, and encourage private sector investment in rural development.
One of the subtle yet impactful aspects of the programme is its potential to unify diverse communities. Through shared economic goals, cooperative farming models, and joint ownership of the developmental agenda, the initiative fosters social cohesion. It also positions agriculture not as a fallback career but as a prestigious and strategic endeavor worthy of attention from investors, youth, and policymakers alike.
As implementation continues, monitoring mechanisms are expected to be put in place. This includes farm audits, community engagement forums, and transparent reporting structures. Such mechanisms will ensure accountability, sustainability, and adaptability of the programme to changing dynamics.
Enugu’s agricultural revolution stands today as one of the most ambitious and far-reaching policies in the history of the state. With strategic leadership, technical expertise, and community participation, the programme holds the promise of transforming Enugu into not just a food basket, but a beacon of inclusive development, rural empowerment, and economic resilience.
The story of this revolution is still unfolding. Yet, from the testimonies of its early impact, it is evident that Enugu is cultivating not just crops, but a new future of prosperity, peace, and purpose for its people.