Enugu unveil new brand rice (photos)

The Enugu state government has reiterated its commitment to make the State an Agricultural Hub for investors to thrive.

This was made known by the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Enugu State Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai through the Secretary, Enugu State Boundary committee, Dr. Solomon Ejim while unveiling the Enugu Rice at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro industrialization complex.

Governor Mbah commended the Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ubru for the effort he has made towards making the event a reality.

According to Mbah “I am impressed with what I see today, it is very encouraging, I commend the farmers of Enugu State, you people are doing great, with your synergy, support and cooperation to Enugu State government, production of Rice will continue to increase and every body will benefit, this is the development we have been craving for as well as the growth we are praying for. Indeed, our tomorrow is here.”

He enjoined the Staff of the Ministry to be dedicated to their duties and also to give their maximum support to their commissioner so that the Ministry could achieve the mandate and vision of the state towards agricultural sector.

Governor Mbah noted that the Enugu Rice brand will grow bigger than what is it is now stressing that Enugu will soon known as Rice producing State. He further explained that Enugu State is now an oil producing State and the state is doing well in Agricultural sector, this will help to reduce hunger to zero by 2031

Earlier in his address, the commissioner for Agriculture and Agro industrialization, Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru commended the governor for his unstoppable commitment to the rebirth and development of agricultural sector.

Hon. Ubru stated that this occasion is a testament to our collective efforts in promoting and emphasizing the authenticity and originality of the Enugu Rice brand stressing that it is also an opportunity to showcase the exceptional quality of our locally produced rice and to celebrate the hard work of the farmers.

He maintained that the launching is not only promoting the brand and the originality, it also ensuring that farmers have the opportunity to make substantial sales thereby increasing their income as well as supporting the farmers. He said that rice would be sold at the most affordable prices in order to make Enugu Rice accessible to all members of the community to improve their livelihoods and bolstering our local economy.

He noted that Enugu state government has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro industrialization to ensure that ,the establishment of more Rice mills across the LGAs with comparative advantage in Rice production. These mills will revolutionize rice processing in our State and also enhancing our self sufficiency and economic growth ,with the land space of over 50,000 hectares of rice fields in different locations at Idodo-Owo-Ubagu-Amankanu-Nkerefi-Nara- Ugboka rice fields in Nkanu East LGA, Ibiteolo-Mgbagbu Owa rice fields in EzeaguLGA, Oduma-Nenwe-Okpanku rice fields in Aninri LGA, Adani-Okoro-Ogurugu- Asaba rice fields in Uzo-UwaniLGA and rice fields in Isi-Uzo LGA.

According to him. He said that his Excellency’s vision is to feed Ndi Enugu and make the State the food basket of the nation by demonstrated with the payment of counterpart funds for the donor agricultural assisted projects which includes the payment of seven years arrears for Agricultural transformation Agenda Support ,Program phase -1(ATASP-1),The initial payment for the new Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRESS) and the three years payment for IFAD assisted Value Chain Development Programme.

Agric Commissioner further explained that this positive disposition has encouraged ATASP-1 to aggressively kick start preparations for dry season rice farming in the State with the approval from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to support 3,500 rice and 3000 maize farmers with inputs adding that the Ministry has identified some rice fields location with Centre Pivot Irrigation System (CPIS)that needs rehabilitation, new fields for construction of new irrigation facilities to be powered with solar energy and construction of gravity enabled Dams.

The programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCOP Mr. Edward Isiwu stated that some farmers in Abakiliki come down to Nara, Kerefi , Nomeh and Ubahu to cultivate rice on a lease land which they sold as Abakiliki rice. He appealed to the state government to provide them with some land to cultivate rice in order to help in increasing the production of rice in the State.

In their various speeches the Project Coordinator APPEALS Project Enugu State Mrs. Ihuoma Eze and her counterparts the Programme Coordinator of Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme phase-1(ATASP-1)Mr. Romanus Egba represented by Mrs. Chinelo Obiefuna stated that more attention should be paid to cultivation and standardization of rice adding that their primary objective is to support farmers in their farming with some necessary inputs which includes weighing scale, fertilizer, improved seedlings and climate smart materials.
More also the government has provided some counterpart fund for seven years to carry out the ATASP-1 projects in the state, adding that they are designing a mega rice processing at Owo, Amankanu and Ubahu to increase the income of the farmers and making the place an Agricultural hub.

The Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Agro industrialization,Mr.Victor Ngwu thanked His Excellency the Governor of Enugu State for wonderful work he has been doing in Agricultural sector by making Enugu State the food basket of the nation and giving hope for export of agricultural cash and crops. He further appreciated the governor for releasing the counterpart funds to ATASP -1 ,IFAD ,L- PRESS, and FADAMA NG CARES to carry out their activities.

Other dignitaries at the event were the Chairman of House committee on Agriculture and Agro industrialization , the Chief Whip and Member representing Igbo-Eze North 1 constituency, Hon. Ejike Ezeh, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science andTechnology Prince Lawrence Ezeh, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Chieftancy and Local Government Matters Hon. Okey Ogbodo, the Commissioner for Human Development Hon. Malachy Agbo others are the Commissioner for Special Duties Hon. Sunday Emeka Ajogwu, the Permanent Secretary also the former Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Agro industrialization Mr. Ogbonnia Idike, the ALGON Chairman Enugu State Hon.Sydney Edeh , the chairmen of Udi, Uzo-Uwani, Ezeagu, ISI-Uzo, Aninri, among others .

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of Enugu Rice by His Excellency.