The Enugu State Government and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) have signed a landmark MoU on agro development aimed at boosting agriculture, food security, industrialisation and economic growth across the South-East.
ENUGU – The Enugu State Government and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the South East Agro Development Programme, a landmark partnership designed to accelerate agricultural transformation, industrialisation and food security across the South-East region.
The agreement marks a major step towards positioning agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, investment, job creation and value-added production in Enugu State and the wider South-East.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, on behalf of Governor Peter Mbah, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, said the administration remained committed to building an agriculture-driven economy capable of powering industrial growth and expanding the state’s wealth base.
According to Onyia, Governor Mbah’s vision of growing Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion will be driven significantly through strategic investments in agriculture, agro-processing and value addition.
He noted that the state government had deliberately created an enabling environment for investors through improved security, regulatory reforms and investor-friendly policies.
Professor Onyia disclosed that more than 52,000 hectares of land had already been designated for agricultural development, assuring prospective investors of government support while safeguarding the interests of host communities.
Representing the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission, the Commission’s Executive Director of Projects, Mr. Toby Okechukwu, described the agreement as a landmark initiative that would unlock the enormous agricultural potential of the South-East.
He said the partnership would attract critical investments into agriculture, strengthen regional food security and accelerate sustainable agro-industrial development across the region.
Okechukwu also commended the Enugu State Government for improving security and creating an investment-friendly environment that continues to attract private sector confidence.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Uburu, said the collaboration would fast-track the state’s agricultural transformation through the development of approximately 52,000 hectares of farmland across designated farm estates.
According to him, the initiative will significantly boost food production, increase agricultural productivity and stimulate agro-industrial activities throughout the state.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Liaison Officer to the South East Development Commission, Mr. Edeani M. Edeani, described the Memorandum of Understanding as a major milestone in advancing regional economic integration.
He said the partnership reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to harness Enugu’s vast agricultural resources for the benefit of farmers, investors and host communities.
Edeani added that the initiative would create employment opportunities for young people, promote inclusive economic growth and further position Enugu as a leading agro-industrial hub in the South-East.
The agreement reinforces the Enugu State Government’s strategy of leveraging agriculture as a catalyst for sustainable development while strengthening regional collaboration to unlock new opportunities in food production, agro-processing and investment.
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