The Abia State Government has finalized plans to launch its Wet Season Rice Farming Program under an In-Grower Scheme, targeting 8,500 hectares of land across rice-producing communities in Abia North. Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu announced the initiative during a post-Executive Council press briefing in Umuahia, emphasizing its role in advancing the state’s food security agenda. The program, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, will commence with verified rice farmers cultivating over 500 hectares at Ndi-Okereke Abam and an additional 150 hectares at Owerinta, where preliminary planting efforts are already underway.
Kanu revealed plans to replicate the scheme in Bende, Mkpa, Ofeme, Ozuitem, and Ndi-Oji Abam, leveraging partnerships with CSS Farms to support beneficiaries. He noted a 90% success rate among current participants in the state’s agricultural collaborations, underscoring the initiative’s potential to enhance productivity. To attract credible investment, the deadline for expressions of interest in managing recovered state-owned plantations has been extended to May 15, 2025. “We seek seasoned investors to transform these assets, moving beyond past practices of indiscriminate participation,” Kanu stated, highlighting the need for rigorous evaluation to ensure sustainable growth.
The briefing included Commissioners for Petroleum Prof. Joel Ogbonna and Agriculture Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, alongside Governor Alex Otti’s media aides, signaling a cross-sectoral commitment to agricultural revitalization. The program aligns with broader efforts to position Abia as a hub for agribusiness innovation and food self-sufficiency.
