Expert Tasks FG, Governors on Agribusiness Drive, Food Security

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

A cultural expert and prominent farmer, Onuoha Nnachi, has called on the Federal Government and state governors to intensify investment in agriculture and agribusiness as part of efforts to strengthen food security and create sustainable wealth in Nigeria.

Nnachi made the call during the annual New Yam Festival, popularly known as “Iyi Akpa Oke Ikeji,” held at El Dorado Village, Ezzi-Edda Community, in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

He said Nigeria could no longer rely solely on traditional farming practices, stressing the need for a transition from subsistence agriculture to a sustainable agribusiness model capable of creating jobs, reducing waste and generating wealth.

According to him, sustainability must remain at the centre of Nigeria’s agricultural policies, adding that government at all levels should provide the necessary support and infrastructure to enable farmers to increase production and process their farm produce locally.

Nnachi, who disclosed that he currently cultivates about 17,000 hectares of farmland across different parts of Nigeria, 

He said his investments cut across various agricultural sectors, including vegetable production, cocoa, coffee, rice and fish farming.

He described agriculture as one of the most rewarding investments, noting that farmers could achieve significant returns when production is properly planned and supported by effective value chains.

He said, “Bringing that back home in Ebonyi State, agriculture is a source of living. But what we have in Ebonyi is still not agribusiness. 

Where I will call on the state government and government in general is: how do we do agribusiness?”

The cultural expert explained that farming should not end at harvesting, but should include processing, packaging, marketing and other forms of value addition that would enable farmers to earn more from their produce.

He expressed concern over the huge volume of agricultural produce that goes to waste due to inadequate processing facilities and poor access to markets, 

Nnachi cited the situation in Benue State where, according to him, between 60 and 70 per cent of some fruits produced are wasted because farmers cannot find buyers.

Nnachi also lamented that a significant portion of rice produced in Ebonyi is transported to other parts of the country for processing, 

He stressed that the state must develop stronger local processing capacity to retain the economic benefits of its agricultural production.

He urged the government to support farmers with modern processing facilities, improved access to markets, financing and other incentives that would encourage large-scale agricultural investment and transform farming into a viable business.

Nnachi, who disclosed that he operates fish farms in both Ebonyi State and Abuja, said his Ebonyi farm produces more than 50,000 fish, adding that agriculture could provide employment and create sustainable opportunities for young Nigerians if properly developed.

He further urged Nigerian youths to embrace hard work and agriculture, warning that dependence on quick money, particularly from political circles, was discouraging many young people from engaging in productive ventures.

While expressing support for the government’s efforts in the education sector, including sending Nigerians abroad for further studies, 

Nnachi urged policymakers to ensure that such initiatives were properly structured and linked to sustainable national development.

He said Nigeria must build a system where investments in education, agriculture and other sectors would produce long-term benefits, stressing that sustainable development remained critical to securing the country’s future.