Anambra Targets 14,000 Hectares of Oil Palm Plantation in Agro Industrialization Drive
By Chibuzor Okoye
The Anambra State Government has unveiled plans to transform the state into an agro industrial hub, with a target of establishing at least 14,000 hectares of oil palm plantations as part of efforts to boost food production, create jobs and attract private sector investment.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Odoemena, disclosed this while speaking with the ABS in his office in Awka, saying Governor Chukwuma Soludo had mandated the ministry to drive the agro industrialisation of the state.
Odoemena said the ministry had developed programmes aimed at transforming Anambra into a major commercial agricultural centre, with emphasis on plantation agriculture and increased private sector participation.
He said the government would also develop a strong raw materials base for industries, noting that several investors had indicated interest in agro business but would require a reliable supply of locally produced agricultural inputs.
According to him, the administration is targeting self sufficiency in food production while creating employment opportunities through a market driven agricultural system that links farmers directly to processing, distribution and markets.
The Commissioner said the state would promote cassava and rice processing facilities, livestock processing and packaging centres, as well as modern agricultural markets to provide reliable outlets for farmers and encourage competitive farming.
He added that the government was promoting improved high yielding crop varieties to increase productivity and was considering the establishment of Mechanisation Service Centres in each agricultural zone to expand access to modern farming equipment.
Odoemena said climate smart agricultural solutions would also be introduced to help farmers mitigate the effects of climate change and sustain production.
The Commissioner further disclosed plans to develop modern abattoirs and livestock facilities, including facilities capable of processing up to 10,000 birds daily, as part of the broader plan to build an integrated agricultural value chain across the state.
He said the ultimate objective was to move agriculture beyond subsistence farming into a commercially driven sector capable of feeding the state, generating employment, supporting industries and positioning Anambra as a major agro industrial destination.
