BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The Enugu State Government says it has concluded plans to be net exporter of cocoa and its value-chain products within a few years as a means to grow its GDP to $30 billion target.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr Patrick Ubru, told newsmen on Thursday in Enugu that the state in collaboration with its five council areas would develop massive hectares of high-yield cocoa nursery.
Ubru said that the state is already doing 20 hectares of high-yield cocoa nursery at Amaechi Idodo community in Nkanu East Local Government Area.
According to him, we are reaching out to some local government areas within that zone such as Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Isi-Uzo, Oji-River and Agwu to at least do a pilot of 100 hectares cocoa nursery each.
“This is what is in the pipeline and we are pursuing it with the vigor it deserves and we want to ensure that we encourage our farmers to take to cocoa farming and have large cocoa farms.
“One tonne of cocoa today in the international market on naira value is about N50 million.
“His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, gave a mandate to the ministry, when we came on board; to develop cocoa farming and we are head-on doing it and collaborating with all stakeholders to do that.
“The ministry has already cleared up to 50 hectares of farmland just for cocoa farming alone and already started a high-yield cocoa nursery,” he said.
The commissioner said that personally, he does cocoa and palm nurseries in his farm presently, adding that it would soon transform to large hectares of cocoa and palm plantations.
“This is a welcomed development and an opportunity to open up a great agro-business opportunity to Enugu State residents. Our people should take to agriculture, make their money and grow the economy of the state.
“So, the $30 billion His Excellency has earmarked as a GDP growth target for the state is very close to us.
“With all these developments in agriculture and agro-industrialisation, I sincerely believe we will surpass the target and even do more for the development of the state,” he said.
The commissioner said that his “ministry is open to collaboration” with any individual, corporate organization, cooperative society, multinationals and government that wants to participate in the cocoa farming and any other agricultural practice in the state.
“The ministry is open to provide guidance, assistance, agricultural extension services as well as high-yield seedling of cocoa, palm, cashew and others.
“This is to ensure that our farmers get it right, contribute to the economy of the state and make their profit as well,” he said.
Ubru noted that there was ongoing work at the cargo section of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and when completed, it would get the state ready for export of quality, organic and fresh farm produce to any international destination.
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