The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has begun steps to certify rice produced by farmers under the International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) in Enugu State.

SON officials, led by Enugu Coordinator Mr. Peter Ameh, inspected rice processing centres in Mbulu Owo, Nkanu East, and Uhueze Nenwe, Aninri, to assess compliance with national standards.

Ameh described the facilities and the efforts of women farmers as “impressive and commendable,” noting that the next step is to guide cooperative members through the standardisation process.

He added that SON would organise capacity-building sessions to ensure understanding of the Nigerian Industrial Standards for rice production and processing.

“The ultimate goal is to certify the products under the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) to assure consumers of quality,” Ameh said. “We cannot give a specific timeline for certification yet, as we want the foundation properly laid. It will progress as fast as the cooperatives meet the requirements.”

He urged cooperative members to comply strictly with standard procedures, documentation, and necessary registrations to facilitate certification, stressing that certified rice would be competitive nationwide.

Dr. Edward Isiwu, IFAD-VCDP State Programme Coordinator, said the initiative aligns with efforts to transform farming in Enugu from subsistence to agribusiness.

He highlighted the construction of a modern aggregation centre, a state-of-the-art rice processing mill for women cooperatives, and other support facilities, including solar-powered water supply and a creche.

“The state government is determined to ensure that rice grown in Enugu is processed and branded locally,” Isiwu said. “Inviting SON to inspect the facilities is a key step toward certifying ‘Enugu-grown rice’ for wider markets.”

Welcoming SON officials, HRH Okeke Arum, Traditional Ruler of Mbulu Owo, pledged continued support for women farmers, while Mrs. Nnenna Ejim of Chidiebube Rice Cooperative, Nenwe, called for official certification to expand the reach of Enugu rice beyond the state.

Young innovators, agripreneurs and key industry stakeholders, yesterday, gathered in Enugu for the Youth in Agri-Tech: Innovation to Wealth Creation Forum, a national initiative designed to accelerate technology adoption across Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.

The event, held at Hackathon Africalab, ECCIMA Complex, is part of the Research Innovation Systems for Africa – Knowledge Exchange & Cascaded Commercialisation (RISA–KECC) programme, delivered in partnership with the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS).

The forum aligns with ongoing national efforts to position agriculture as a technology-driven, youth-led sector capable of boosting food security and driving economic growth.

In his keynote address, Dr. Terseer Nyulaku stressed the urgency of integrating modern technology into Nigeria’s food systems.

He noted that meeting rising domestic consumption and staying competitive in regional markets will require improved processing, stronger post-harvest systems and wider adoption of research-led innovations.

He added that the RISA–KECC collaboration with NAERLS aims to equip young agripreneurs with capacity and extension support to transform traditional farming models.

RISA–KECC South Programme Coordinator, Teddy Eragba, outlined four pillars essential for scaling youth participation in agri-tech—digital visibility, youth-centric engagement, technical upskilling, and platforms that showcase innovation.

He encouraged participants to view agriculture as a globally competitive industry where creativity, data intelligence and market strategy are key to unlocking new opportunities.

On sustainability, agro-entrepreneur Alioke Anthony highlighted the economic and environmental value of zero-waste agriculture.

He explained that materials often discarded on farms can be converted into raw input for processing, driving cost efficiency and improving smallholder resilience amid rising production expenses.

Delivering a session on commodity value chains, Chineyere Oluchukwu underscored the export potential of Nigeria’s everyday crops from hibiscus (“red gold”) to bitter kola, ginger and cassava.

She stressed that value addition, quality packaging and market research can transform local produce into premium global products. Her advice to young entrepreneurs: start small, maintain high standards and innovate repeatedly.

Addressing access to finance, Adanma Chinyere, CEO of Spar Venture, highlighted persistent challenges facing agro-MSMEs, including poor documentation, weak structures and late submissions for funding opportunities.

She urged enterprises to strengthen administrative systems and remain alert to openings such as the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) and the MassChallenge Sustainable Food Challenge, both offering expansion opportunities through 2026.

Agribusiness consultant, Kenneth Eze, provided insights on transitioning small and medium farms into commercially viable enterprises.

He emphasized demand-driven crop selection, rigorous market research and enhanced value addition, adding that transparency, consistency and traceable performance remain non-negotiable for attracting investors in an increasingly standards-driven global food market.

Leader, Enugu State Young Farmers Association, ENSYFA,Kenneth Eze.

The Enugu Agri-Tech Mashup is part of a broader national movement recognising young people as key drivers of Africa’s agricultural future.

As Nigeria works to cut food imports, strengthen food security and expand exports, the forum reinforced the message that technology, innovation and entrepreneurship are central to unlocking new wealth across the country’s agribusiness landscape.

Organisers say the initiative will continue across multiple regions, targeting the next generation of innovators poised to transform Nigerian agriculture into a modern, technology-enabled and globally competitive enterprise.

The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitments to food security and empowerment of smallholder farmers to boost production in the state.

Gov. Peter Mbah stated this during the 2025 World Food Day celebration organised by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-industrialisation on Thursday in Enugu.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said that he was expanding land access through the Enugu state’s agricultural land bank.

Mbah said that the government had secured 130,000 hectares in rural communities, laying a foundation for sustainable growth in Enugu.

He said that the state would deploy a modern machinery base with a target of a thousand tractors through the tractor assembly and service centre in the state.

According to him, so far, 120 tractors have been delivered, 98 others are in order while 800 would be assembled locally to boost timely planting and harvesting.

Mbah added that his administration had empowered small holder farmers across 260 wards by providing them with clear land, improved seedlings, mechanisation, extension services and guarantee market access.

“Enugu State is embracing greenhouse plastic from year-round cultivation using water-saving technologies and rehabilitating key state assets such as United Palm Product Limited and Sunrise flour Mills.

“Agriculture is at the heart of our development agenda with a clear pragmatic pathway built on public investment and private sector participation and with strategic partnership.

“Enugu state is also open for investment and business in the agricultural sector,” the governor said.

He recalled that the state recently distributed improved cassava stems rice seeds, maize and other agro inputs to support and empower farmers in Enugu as well as strengthening domestic market and reducing post-harvest losses.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, also said that Mbah’s administration was making Enugu the food basket of the country following various programmes and interventions in agriculture.

He said the state government was expanding its land size by adding 300,000 hectares of land to the existing 115,000 hectares that the smallholder farmers were managing.

“So the vision for expanding the land was part of the strategy in ensuring that we expand our production and take our pride of place.

“And through mechanisation and strengthening of rural economy, we are motivating and empowering our farmers to produce more food for the state, South East and Nigeria in general,” he said.

Ubru thanked Mbah for his support and vision towards the development of agriculture in Enugu.

Similarly, the Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Alloysius Okorie , represented by Prof. Emeka Nzeh, Faculty of Agriculture, ESUT, attributed the growth of agriculture in Enugu to various initiatives adopted by Mbah administration.

He added that those initiatives would help to eradicate poverty in the state, stressing that the administration had continued to impact into the growth of agriculture innovations in the university.

Alhaji Sani Nnaji, an Agricultural Entrepreneur, while emphasising for more growth in agriculture, hailed the administration for supporting farmers through distribution of agro inputs farmers to 40,000 registered farmers for wet farming season.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) and the Federal Government have distributed agricultural equipment worth millions of naira to 458 rural farmers in Enugu State.

The beneficiaries were drawn from Aninri, Enugu East, Nkanu East, Isi Uzo and Udenu Local Government Areas, where IFAD-VCDP is intervening in rice and cassava production, processing and marketing.

Items distributed included 38 tricycles, three paddy rice steam parboilers, 15 rice destoners, 50 energy-saving stoves, 10 rice threshers, 50 knapsack sprayers, 20 seed planters, 20 water pumps and 50 point-of-sale (POS) machines.

Others were 50 digital weighing scales, six power tillers, 10 cassava pounding machines, seven cassava peeling machines, three rice milling machines, three solar dryers and five specialised rice reapers, among others.

Gov. Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, said agriculture remained a priority of his administration, citing payment of counterpart funds to donors including IFAD.

He said the equipment would aid processing, transportation, packaging and marketing of produce to boost farmers’ income.

“In Enugu State, we do not just produce but also add value to agricultural products to the point of export. These interventions are to make agriculture attractive and mechanised and to ensure no one goes hungry,” he said.

The governor urged beneficiaries to use the equipment judiciously and seek technical support from VCDP when necessary.

The National Programme Coordinator of VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, represented by the Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Advisor, Mr Musa Dalang, commended Mbah for releasing counterpart funds which enabled the intervention.

She said the project had transformed livelihoods of rural farmers across Nigeria, turning many into successful entrepreneurs.

Aliyu urged beneficiaries to be ambassadors of the programme in their communities.

The State Programme Coordinator, Dr Edward Isiwu, explained that farmers contributed 30 per cent of the cost of the equipment, adding that beneficiaries would be monitored to ensure proper use.

He said the programme had supported over 9,000 farmers in Enugu since 2020 with inputs and equipment for cassava and rice value chains.

According to him, the intervention has improved food and nutrition security, created jobs, enhanced market linkages and reduced post-harvest losses.

A beneficiary, Mr Emmanuel Odoh, a rice farmer, said the tricycle he received would ease transportation of his produce to markets and increase his earnings.

By Ekelaka Magnus.

In a bid to make Umuezeawala village self-reliant, a philanthropist, Chief Ogbuehi Chimezie Desmond Obiakor (Ogbuehi of Umuezeawala), on 13th of September 2025 empowered over 27 indigence in Umuezeawala community with skills and startup equipments to mark this year new yam festival, the start-up tools includes sewing machines, mixers, moulds and other equipments for those who have learnt different skills.

Addressing journalists at the flags-off of the empowerment program in his resident, Chief Ogbuehi Chimezie Desmond Obiakor (Ogbuehi of Umuezeawala), remarked and highlighted the need for the people of Umuezeawala to be self-reliance, he posited that the objective of the empowerment programme is to train women and youths in various skills and vocations for the purpose of economic empowerment and lifting their status from a state of dependency to self-reliance.

The traditional head of Umuezeawala village in Ihiala Local Government Area stressed that one of the focal point is to mitigate the effects of poverty amongst the communities, he however noted that when people are economically empowered, there is less tension in the home and obvious reduction in domestic violence.

He, however enjoined the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunities and appealed to the people of Umuezeawala to embrace peace, which he said remains the best for unity and progress, he opined.

The state government has signed a landmark N100 billion joint venture agreement with Songhai Sustainable Initiative in Nigeria and Tribu Limited for the rehabilitation and transformation of the moribund Heneke Integrated Farm into a world-class agro-industrial hub.

The deal, signed at Government House, Enugu, formally establishes Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the revitalization, expansion, and management of the project spanning 10,000 hectares of land in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

While conducting the formal signing of the joint venture agreement, JVA, Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the agreement as a turning point in Enugu’s redevelopment agenda to industrialize production in the agro-allied sector.

“Today, we formalize a partnership that will breathe new life into the Enugu Songhai Initiative, transform abandoned assets into thriving agro-industrial hubs, and advance food security, regenerative development, and inclusive growth for Ndi Enugu,” he said.

The governor disclosed that the farm, originally established in 2013 but left incomplete, will now be revived into a multi-sectoral agro-industrial ecosystem comprising crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, processing plants, renewable energy systems, and eco-tourism facilities.

He added that the project was expected to rehabilitate the 10,000 hectares with secured land titles, establish a 25-hectare training and incubation centre for youth and women, create thousands of jobs across agriculture, processing, and export value chains, and drive the adoption of modern, sustainable farming practices.

Mbah further emphasized that the partnership was underpinned by a robust governance framework to ensure transparency, compliance with applicable laws, and protection of state interests.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Hon. Patrick Ubru, assured that the project will be sustainable and transformative.

“We have the land, water, good soil, and the right people. This initiative will create thousands of jobs, boost food production, and change the mindset of our people towards agriculture.

“It is going to be an integrated system —crop, livestock, aquaculture, processing, export, and ecotourism-driven by the community, private sector, and government,” he said.

According to him, the partnership underscored the governor’s broader mission to turn Enugu into Nigeria’s food production powerhouse and achieve self-sufficiency while attracting foreign investments.

“With an expected injection of N100 billion in capital and expertise, the project positions Enugu State at the forefront of modern agribusiness, ensuring both food security and economic diversification,” he said.

On his part, the Director of Songhai Sustainable Initiative, Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo, pledged Songhai’s expertise and technical capacity, calling the project strategic agriculture.

“We are committed to producing more and better with less. This is about integrated farming that combines crops, livestock, aquatics, renewable energy, and human capital development. All of us must stay committed to succeed,” he noted.

He called on young people to embrace agriculture and seize the opportunity the agreement presented to earn a decent living.

Reacting to the execution of the agreement, the project financier and CEO of Tribu Limited, Ozor Silas Nnamdi, declared that the farm would not only transform agriculture but also serve as a model resort for eco- and agro-tourism.

“We are going to build one of the best Songhai resorts in Africa. It is a shame that Nigeria still imports what it eats. This project is proof that we can change that narrative,” he concluded.

Enugu State Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Tribu Ltd. and Songhai Regional Centre to revamp and develop Songhai Enugu Agro Industrial project.

Gov. Peter Mbah said on Tuesday in Enugu that the partnership would breathe new life into Enugu Songhai Integrated Farm, boost food production and create jobs for the state’s teeming youths.

Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia said the project was established in 2013 had remained incomplete and abandoned.

“So as part of this administration’s commitment to rehabilitate moribund assets, the state government has approved this joint venture with Tribu Ltd and Songhai Regional centre to reactivate, rehabilitate and operationalise the farm to optimal performance

“We carefully drafted MoU in collaboration with all parties, especially the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure full legal compliance and a robust governance framework,” he said.

Mbah explained that the state would be providing the enabling environment, clear land use framework and strategic oversight to deliver sustainable and scalable impact in line with the state policy objectives.

According to the governor, Tribu Ltd. will serve as financier and investors by mobilising the capital and resources necessary to realise the project.

“Songhai Regional Centre will contribute the expertise, capacity building and an advisory service to implement best practices across farming processes and all the value chain components.

“The project will create a 25-hectare training and incubation centre to empower youths and women with leadership, technical and entrepreneurial skills,” he said.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, added that the project was state government’s commitment to food security, job creation and sustainable agriculture.

The Founder of Songhai Regional Centre, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Nzamujo, said through project, the organisation would harness opportunities the farm would offer to transform the state.

For his part, the representative of Tribu Ltd., Mr Nnamdi Ozor, said the project would discourage youths from traveling abroad as it would afforded them the needed opportunities and reduce importation of certain produce into the country.

The Federal Government has again, cautioned farmers and food vendors against using harmful substances to process and preserve foods.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Olatunji Bello, gave the warning at a “One-Day Sensitisation Programme on Forced Palm Oil, Ripening of Fruits, Contaminated Meat and Grains” on Wednesday in Enugu.

Sensitising stakeholders including farmers, food processors, vendors, and business owners, Bello said they were critical to the nation’s food security and health.

The executive vice chairman urged them to abstain from the use of harmful substances in food processing.

He equally urged them to observe hygiene and safety protocols at every stage of their operations, label and package food correctly, in line with national and international standards.

Bello also charged them to respect consumers rights and refrain from deceptive or unfair business practices.

He noted that the issues of food quality standards, safety, and fair business practices were more pressing than ever as the country continued to witness alarming trends like forceful ripening of fruits using harmful chemicals such as calcium carbide.

The FCCPC boss said that these ingredients contained some amount of arsenic and phosphorus, both of which were highly toxic to humans.

According to him, the trend includes adulteration of food products with dangerous additives and preservatives chemicals such as bromate, Sudan red colorant, sniper, formalin, among others.

The trend also include improper handling and contamination across the food value chain, from farm to table such as poor storage conditions, unhygienic environment, poor waste disposal, exposure of foodstuffs to flies, insects and rodents.

“These practices not only endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians, but they also erode consumer trust and sabotage the integrity of our food systems.

“Unsafe food not only endangers lives, but undermines trust in markets, disrupts trade, and damages the reputations of businesses, both large and small.

“Therefore, you all have the responsibility and duty of care to the public as every product you put on the shelves for consumers affects a family or a community positively or negatively,” he advised.

To the food industry stakeholders, he advised that the “future of your businesses depends on your integrity.

“Upholding food safety and quality is not only a legal obligation but a moral duty”.

He explained that through market surveillance, consumer education, enforcement actions, and strategic partnerships, FCCPC had intervened in numerous cases involving hazardous food practices.

The executive vice chairman stressed that across the country and around the world, the need for strict adherence to food regulations had become a matter of urgent public interest.

Bello disclosed that the organisation had shut down facilities, imposed sanctions and prosecuted offenders.

Speaking also, Dr Leonard Omokpariola, the Director of Chemical Education and Research, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), described forced ripening of fruit as a very serious challenge in the country.

He said calcium carbide was not a fruit ripening agent, explaining that it produced poisonous gas that was hazardous to health and other chemicals that caused cancer, kidney and other health issues.

Mr Yahaya Kudan, Director, Consumer and Business Education, FCCPC, acknowledged the increasing incidences of harmful practices in food production and processing, saying the practices not only pose significant health risks but also undermine consumer trust in the food industry.

“But FCCPC is committed to protecting consumers and ensuring that they have access to safe, high-quality food,” he said.

On his part, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, listed improper use of chemical, poor hygiene, storage and others as major causes of food contamination.

He assured the participants that the state was working to ensure that food consumed in the state were healthy and safe.

The Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Enugu Chapter, Mr Romanus Eze, expressed surprise how food they harvested naturally got contaminated in the hands of middlemen before reaching final consumers.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security says inclusivity of women, youths and People with Disabilities (PWDs) will be the backbone of the ministry’ entire processes and value-chain of agriculture in the country.

The Director of Special Duties in the Ministry, Mrs Kachallah Damaturu, said this at the weekend in Enugu.

Damaturu said this during a one-day South-East Zonal Consultative Forum for the Review of National Gender Policy in Agriculture for Nigeria and Its Strategic plan of Action (2025 – 2030).

She said that the forum was held in South-East in order to give voices to women, youths and PWDs as well as factor their special needs and their buy-in into the national plan of action for agriculture.

According to her, the ministry will not leave any segment of the society behind as agriculture work well when there is a robust inclusion of all.

She said, “I want to acknowledge President Ahmed Tinubu, who has shown vital interest in the agriculture sector, especially in the areas affecting women.

“The President, during the Women Affair’s Ministry programme on Oct. 15, 2024, reiterated that women empowerment in agriculture should be given priority especially in agricultural training, access to land and financial services.”

The director said that the ministry expanded the participants beyond the women, youths and PWDs as well as involved commissioners, permanent secretaries and directors at the states in the South-East to ensure that everybody gets involved and in-puts collated.

Speaking, the Food and Agriculture Advisor of Actionaid, Blessing Akhile, said that the forum was meant to promote equity and productivity, adding that it would help to shape the resilience of the total agricultural system.

Akhile, whose Actionaid Chairs the steering Committee on the Review of the National Gender Policy, said that when everybody become on board, it would lead to poverty reduction, food security and resilience food system.

“Actionaid appreciates the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the German International Support (GIZ) and others for their support and contribution to ensure the consultation will be successful.

“The forum today will ensure that all requirements of various segments of the society is catered for and to ensure a robust inclusivity,” she said.

Collaborating, the Programme Officer of AGRA in Nigeria, Dr Esther Ibrahim, said that agriculture remained the backbone of African’s economy and it employs millions of people in the continent.

Ibrahim said that the vast population of Africa farmers are women and youths, adding that AGRA’s policy and action plan had continued to provide systematic support to women and youth farmers.

According to her, AGRA through its strategic system has continued to remove barriers militating against women and youths in agriculture and we are here to support the move of the ministry and her partners.

In an address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation in Enugu State, Mr Patrick Ubru, said that Enugu State had made it mandatory to have 70 per cent of women and youths in all its agricultural progammes.

Ubru also said that women and youths had been represented robustly in all agricultural programmes and value-change in the state.

He commended Gov. Peter Mbah, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and her partners for their continuous support to agriculture, creating jobs and food production as well as inclusivity of all.