State government unveils modern tuber facility targeting global markets, farmer wealth creation, and the end of food imports.
Awka: The Anambra Government has launched a tuber processing plant to industrialise agriculture, ensure food sufficiency, and make Nigerian yams, cassava, and other tubers prime export commodities for farmers and the state.
Officials say the region’s first modern tuber facility will turn local produce into valuable export products for global markets, boosting farmers’ profits and reducing the state’s dependence on imports.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Ben Odoemena, said this at the inauguration of Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited on Wednesday in Awka.
The tuber crop processing company located in Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, was established by an industrialist, Mr Ikenna Okafor.
Odoemena said Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration supports moving farmers from subsistence to commercial and industrial-scale farming.
He stated that the plant would help farmers reduce losses from unsold produce, create new export avenues, and improve their incomes.
“With this plant, unsold produce can be processed for export, reducing waste,” he said.
He said the plant is key to reducing losses and adding value in agriculture.
He expressed satisfaction that his first assignment was inaugurating a facility that prevents tuber crop waste.
“What we have here reflects the secret of agriculture in developed economies.
He highlighted Soludo’s administration’s support for industrial-scale farming and agro-industries.
He emphasised that the state now focuses on cultivating, processing, and exporting to create wealth.
The government will prioritise supporting agro-processing industries to accelerate agricultural transformation and export-led growth.
Earlier, the Chairman said food security is critical to any society’s success.
He said his company recently began large-scale yam cultivation on a 200-plot farm in Ufuma, Orumba North, and has started earning foreign exchange.
He said the motivation for establishing the plant was to eliminate wastage of unsold farm produce.
The company will process and package unsold tubers for export, remitting proceeds to farmers after costs are deducted.
“We have secured approvals from food processing agencies in America, Europe and the United Kingdom, as well as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, in Nigeria.
We will process farmers’ produce to minimise waste.
“We want this initiative to create jobs and help farmers export their produce,” he said.
