By Our Correspondent
National News – The Anambra State Government has unveiled plans to industrialise agriculture and help farmers earn foreign exchange through commercial farming and export-focused processing.
The initiative was announced on Wednesday during the inauguration of Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited, a tuber crop processing company in Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area.
The project aligns with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s economic agenda to boost agro-industrialisation, reduce food waste and expand export opportunities for local farmers.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ben Odoemena, said the state government would prioritise industrial-scale farming over subsistence agriculture.
According to him, the establishment of processing facilities for yam, cassava, potatoes and other tuber crops would guarantee food sufficiency, reduce post-harvest losses and create access to international markets.
Odoemena explained that farmers often suffer losses when harvested produce cannot find buyers, but agro-processing companies would now provide a ready market for crops.
He added that processed agricultural products from Anambra would be exported to generate foreign exchange earnings for farmers and investors.
The processing company, founded by businessman Ikenna Okafor, is expected to handle large-scale processing and export of tuber crops.
Okafor revealed that the company already operates a 200-plot yam farm in Ufuma and has started earning forex from exports.
He said the company had secured approvals from food regulatory agencies in the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and Nigeria’s NAFDAC.
Okafor noted that the initiative would create jobs, support local farmers and ensure that harvested crops are fully utilised instead of wasted.
Stakeholders, farmers’ groups and government officials who attended the inauguration also inspected the company’s processing facilities.
Director of the company, Dr Esther Okafor, described the project as a major innovation that would strengthen agricultural processing, export development and economic growth in Anambra State.
