From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
A medical doctor and chairmanship aspirant for Oji River Local Government Area, Dr. Collins Nwannebuike Nwokedi, has unveiled plans to transform agriculture into the mainstream business and a major driver of the local economy if elected.
Dr. Nwokedi said his administration would leverage the numerous rivers that crisscross the 403 square kilometres of Oji River LGA to promote large-scale commercial agricultural production.
He listed the rivers as Mmam, Adu, Akwu, Ehuhe and Oji, which eventually empty into the Ezu River, a major tributary of the River Niger.
According to him, the network of rivers is capable of sustaining commercial agriculture, alongside the necessary support structures and value chains in agribusiness.
He noted that the area’s annual rainfall, tropical lowland and rainforest vegetation, as well as its humid tropical climate, provide favourable conditions for a wide range of flora and fauna, thereby offering significant advantages for large-scale agricultural production across communities in Oji River LGA.
The aspirant stressed that his administration would capitalise on increased food production and job creation to position Oji River as a hub for commercial agriculture and agro-based industries in Enugu State.
The technocrat-turned-politician also pledged to create an enabling environment that would encourage financially stable but agriculture-sceptic indigenes of Oji River LGA to invest in farming and other segments of the agricultural supply and value chains.
Dr. Nwokedi expressed optimism about the future of agriculture in the council area, noting that some indigenous farmers had already embraced mechanised and large-scale farming.
He said his administration would procure tractors and other vital machinery to help subsistence farmers expand their operations. He also promised soft and revolving loans for farmers, as well as the procurement and distribution of fertilisers and the rehabilitation of rural roads to improve access to farmlands.
His words, ” in my administration, efforts would be geared towards procurement of new tractors and other vital machinery plus water irrigation machines. He pledged to repair the old machines, institute a system of robust documentation and management of the small and heavy equipment hire, rural roads construction to create access to the farmlands, assist in granting soft and revolving loans to registered individuals and cooperatives, helping farmers to procure high-yield-pest/disease resistant strains/species, fertilizer distribution, linking farmers to agricultural research institutions, creating industrial zones after Environmental Impact Assessment, engaging the services of Agricultural Extension Workers and supporting cultural practices and festivals that enhance food production and cultural exhibition”.
Dr. Nwokedi expressed confidence that the combined impact of these initiatives would create employment opportunities for youths and adults, boost food production, tackle hunger and stimulate businesses along the agricultural supply and value chains.
In his blueprint titled, “Transforming Oji-River Agriculture from a Neglected Practice to the Mainstream Business,” Dr. Nwokedi disclosed plans to introduce what he described as Agricultural Governance (AG).
He explained that through the Agricultural Governance programme, his administration would support each of the 29 autonomous communities in Oji River LGA to establish Community Councils comprising existing leadership structures and key stakeholders.
According to him, the councils would actively participate in decision-making processes and help implement government policies on agriculture and food security for the benefit of the people.
Dr. Nwokedi said, “Already, we have some plantations of different trees and crops but our soil types in the LGA are capable of supporting wider varieties of cash crops such as cashew, cassava, ukwa, palm oil, palm wine, egusi, ọgbọnọ, akịdị, bitter kola, cocoa, yams, banana, plantain, onions, gmelina, mushrooms, etc. Added to all these, Oji River LGA is a perfect host for agribusiness involving aquaculture (fish production) and animal husbandry.
“Oji River LGA under the watch of Dr. Collins Nwannebuike Nwokedi will also mentor stakeholders, individuals, cooperatives, age-grade groups and social clubs to establish large-scale farms. They will be assisted to procure the necessary product-processing machines locally or from China and incentivised for efficient service delivery so as to encourage productivity.
“His words, ‘The key focus for the Agricultural Governance will be to align the Community Councils, implementation of government policies, providing the regulatory framework for land use, environmental protection, food safety, protection of worker’s welfare, ensuring transparency, good governance and sustainable development.
“’These modest measures would ensure that Oji-River LGA will increase in all aspects of agricultural production, creating and retaining small and medium scale industries in our domain. By so doing, we provide food, save cost, generate employment and promote businesses”, Dr. Nwokedi emphasised.
He further revealed that his administration would utilise the services of skilled indigenous manpower and retired agriculturists within the communities to strengthen agricultural production and agribusiness development in Oji River LGA.
