Agriculture; the Abia success story

 
By Ikechukwu Iroha
Our economy is blessed with natural resources, yet we suffer in the midst of plenty. Poverty rate in Nigeria is high compared with indices from other African countries despite its higher GDP.
We can boast of over 85% of arable land yet less than 45% is cultivated despite the large population and constant increase in unemployment.
Immediately after independence, Nigeria developed her first national plan in Agriculture which laid emphasis on the introduction of modern agricultural methods through farm settlements, cooperative farming and a greatly expanded agricultural extension services.
During these periods, some strategic development schemes and interventions were initiated to fast tract the plan.
Each of the programmes sought to improve food production which represented major feasible demonstration of the scientific approach to agricultural development in Nigeria.
Nigeria was widely and economically blessed for exporting Cocoa, Groundnut,Rubber,Cotton and palm oil until Crude Oil was discovered.
Then comes the big question, Is Crude Oil discovery a Curse or a blessing?
Despite the huge infrastructural development recorded with proceeds from the downstream sector, it can still be implied that over dependence on oil is one of the reasons for increased rate of unemployment in Nigeria owing to the fact that other sectors became unattractive to the teeming population of youths especially as government reduced efforts at encouraging Agriculture.
Agriculture will improve and provide food and raw materials which will also benefit the manufacturing sector.
As a State, there is therefore a dire need to attain self sufficiency in food production which will discourage heavy dependence on importation.
The level of unemployment will be greatly reduced once Agriculture gets government attention nationwide. To a large extent, Agriculture can help decongest cities as people can comfortably harness resources at rural farm settlements.
In the early months of Dr Ikpeazu’s administration, Abia State launched an initiative aimed at bringing back the consciousness of feeding one’s family with proceeds from family farm yards. “Back to Farm Initiative” presented an opportunity for unemployed youths to engage in different Agricultural value chain through training in Cassava, Plantain, palm oil production and processing, fishery etc.
Agriculture is expected to provide the lead in the growth for socioeconomic development in the State.
With the available arable land and favourable climatic factors for the growth of numerous food and crops, In Abia State, Agriculture has the potential that will drive our food sufficiency objective which meets the Sustainable Development Goal of bringing an end to hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Mushroom farming, which is considered medicinal and nutritious in food ecosystem. Abia has set a pace by nurturing and producing mushroom in commercial quantities. The success in mushroom farming has not gone unnoticed as our Sister State Ebonyi is doing everything to replicate the progress after understudying the methodologies employed in Abia State.
With the committed Hon.Uzo Azubuike as the man coordinating and overseeing all activities of the ministry, Abia is right on the track.
Palm oil being one of the major revenue generating commodity if efforts are put in place to move swiftly in palm plantation. Abia has taken advantage of the window that will soon make her an exporter of palm oil in Nigeria. Already, Abia has successfully nurtured about 4 milliom improved high yielding Tenera Species of palm seedlings at Ahiaba Umunze in Osisioma axis of the State.
Abia State is seeking to Sustain the ongoing efforts at Increasing Land cultivation in the State to about 45% of the total arable land including increased value to commodities.
Rice production will be enhanced by such effort of the Government. The ministry has embarked on accelerated rice production through the Anchor Borrowers Program Scheme. The State has commenced mechanized land preparation at the over 157 hectares of rice field at Ebemnta, Idima Abam Arochukwu Area of the State. Today, I and other Abians are enjoying Abia rice. A lot needs to be done to be able to maximize production .
In same tendency, increase in the number of registered Agricultural cooperative societies will increase participation of indigenes in Agriculture.
Mechanization is also a brighter way to the future of Agriculture in the State. The State earlier acquired high power machines to increase and improve food production. Sustainability in food production will be achieve through mechanization ,which will eliminate subsistence farming method and bring back the joy of economics of scale.
The Abia success story will not be complete if we fail to make mention of the State’s achievement in poultry and fish farming. Farm settlements have been boosted with availability of eggs and other farm produce.
On Palm Plantations;
Many scholars have attributed some of the failure on our part to maintain the lead in exportation of palm products to the use of manual processing techniques while some view it from the angle of unavailability of land due to land tenure system.
While I agree with both parties, I also want to add that failure of the government to always build on the gains of Agriculture, led to a total neglect of this line of development. To me, Government failure to implement large scale plantations contributed in no small measure to the failure of palm oil production in the Country. I can go ahead to include funding, laziness and misplacement of priorities.
Abia State Government understands the importance of palm oil. The red palm oil is a common ingredient in the cooking of almost every type of food in Nigeria and processing the fruit into vegetable oil is a common practice by our people. Soap and cream making, biodiesel and other important products come from oil palm.
I disagree that Government can not manage plantation estates. In the light of reasons, the only one stated by researchers is that Corruption will creep in. My disagreement could be as a result of my knowledge of how things are being done in the State ministry of Agriculture where transparency, orderliness and accountability have taken the first stage.
The Country has realized her mistakes of neglecting palm oil production. Nigeria needs to bounce back.
The good news is, Abia State is leading the revolution.
After understudying what the State is doing in Agriculture, the federal minister for Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe could not hide his admiration . He saw someone that has great passion for Agriculture in the Country and he was totally convinced that there is a great hope in Agriculture with Dr.Ikpeazu.
In his words during the ‘Change begins with Me’ initiative of the Federal Government launched in Abia State at the newly constructed International Conference Center, ” I think I and the Governor has similarities based on our interest in Agriculture. What I have seen shows there is hope for the country”
It appears the Federal Government is now willing to revitalize oil palm production.
Abia State having successfully nurtured about 4 million palm seedling in the State is leading the revitalization of this important sector. The Government plans to increase this Special tenera specie of palm seedling at Ahiaba Umunze in Osisioma LGA of the State to 7.5 million before 2019.
With what is on ground, Abia is on a flight to become a major exporter of palm oil in the country. The success recorded will lead to construction of processing plants as against manual processing techniques. Promotion of private sector participation in oil palm plantation also holds a key in effective revival of the produce.
Revitalizing old Abia palm and establishing new ones will both point at the possible expansion of oil palm plantations in the State.
Local Authorities should also provide land for oil palm farming to encourage mass production of palm oil.
Abia State through the initiative on palm will increase job of Agriculture extension officers. It will also improve revenue of the State as well as GDP of the Country. Individual farmers have access to this special specie that takes about three years to develop bunches ranging from about 9- 16 bunches at a time.