The Enugu State government in collaboration with Ellah Lakes Plc and Adani SCPZ Food Company have distributed free rice seeds (Faro 44) to over 1,200 farmers at Adarice Farms, Adani, Uzo-Uwani LGA of the state to boost production.
The state government in a joint initiative, organised the event last weekend in Enugu to support agricultural and economic prosperity in the community and the state generally.
The collaboration between the trio via the state ministry of agriculture and agro-industrialisation underscores a collective commitment to empowering local farmers and promoting food security within the community.
The exercise seeks to provide farmers with essential resources to enhance their agricultural practices and increase their yields.
At the ceremony, an initial 100 farmers were given 25kg of high-quality rice seeds (Faro 44) and will also partake in a training programme on sustainable farming and modern planting methods.
Patrick Ubru, the commissioner for agriculture and agro-industrialisation, said the state had great potential for rice cultivation and production.
“We are working to empower the rice farmers in the state to scale up production and become first-class premium rice producers in the world.
“It is in furtherance of this aim, we are grateful to Ellah Lake for empowering 1,200 farmers in the Adani cluster,” he said.
According to him, Governor Peter Mbah has the vision to transform the agricultural sector with huge investments to boost food production in the state.
“This is the only source for us to take our economy from 4.4 billion dollars to 30 billion dollars in 2031.
“Today’s event marks the beginning of our partnership with Ellah Lakes PLC for the Adani rice farm, a crop processing zone for which the company already have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Enugu State government.
“We invited Adani rice farmers who had to collaborate with Ellah Lakes Plc in the production of rice in Adani to be given free rice seeds.
“The governor in his wisdom is revitalising all our moribund assets, Adani comes out and with his instructions to ensure that activities commence speedily and immediately in Adani rice.
“Our partners, Ellah Lakes Plc took this move in collaboration with Enugu State government to ensure that free rice seeds are given to our rice farmers and also give them training on how to ensure that they increase their yield.
“The target is that 1200 farmers in Adani would receive these free rice seeds and also train on how to increase their yields through modern agricultural best practices.
“This move is that we are set to go back to that high productive days that Adani had been known for. The governor has given us rice farmers the target to ensure that we produce 600000 metric tonnes to one million tonnes of rice annually.
“We can only do this by taking the first step of ensuring that the cultivation of Adani rice starts immediately,” Ubru affirmed.
Chuka Mordi, chief executive officer of Ellah Lakes Plc, overwhelmingly said, “We are delighted to partner with Enugu state government under our out-growers scheme, to empower 1,200 local farmers at Adani.
“This is the first of many partnerships that will enhance the livelihood of the farmers, and promote economic prosperity for the state as a whole.
“On behalf of the Enugu State government and Adani SCPZ Food Company Limited, Ellah Lakes Plc would like to thank all stakeholders, farmers, and community members who graced the occasion.
“Together, let us plant the seeds of growth and prosperity in Enugu, in the 1st stage in our development of a 5,000 Hectare Staple Crop Processing Zone in Enugu State,” Mordi said.
Boniface Obuka, one of the beneficiaries of the rice seeds commended the state government and Ellah Lakes Plc for the gestures.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
