Korede Abdullah 
Governor, Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo
ANAMBRA, Nigeria – The Anambra State Government says it is intensifying efforts to industrialise agriculture and expand food exports with the inauguration of a new agro-processing facility designed to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ earnings.
Commissioner for Agriculture Ben Odoemena made the disclosure on Wednesday during the inauguration of Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited in Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area.
Odoemena says the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is shifting farmers from subsistence agriculture to commercial and industrial-scale production.
“With the establishment of a tuber crop processing plant, there will no longer be fear of unsold produce rotting away because it can now be processed and exported,” he says.
The commissioner describes the facility as a major boost for value addition and foreign exchange generation in the agricultural sector.
According to him, the state government is supporting industries capable of transforming locally produced crops into export-ready products.
Chairman of the company, Ikenna Okafor, says the facility will process unsold yams, cassava, potatoes and other tuber crops for export markets.
He reveals that the company has already commenced large-scale yam cultivation on a 200-plot farmland in Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area.
“The company will process unsold tuber crops, package them for export and remit proceeds to farmers after deducting processing charges,” Okafor says.
The company says it has secured regulatory approvals from food processing agencies in the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom, alongside certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
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