morganable politics/Governance
Project details indicate that the facility will house a 200-head dairy herd, alongside poultry operations capable of producing up to 20,000 birds per cycle
KaNo—
The South East Development Commission has commenced work on a 200-hectare integrated agricultural project in Nomeh Unataeze, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, with the facility projected to generate over 1,000 direct jobs upon full operation.
The project, which is being developed under the Commission’s South East Agro-Development Programme, is designed as a multi-component agricultural hub that combines large-scale production with mechanisation, processing, skills development and structured market access.
Officials say the initiative is intended to boost food production while also demonstrating a scalable agricultural model that can be replicated across the five states in the South East.
Implemented in partnership with the Enugu State Government, the pilot project incorporates dairy farming, poultry production, fisheries, greenhouse cultivation, fodder production, agro-processing, renewable energy systems, mechanisation services and hands-on agricultural training.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held on Wednesday, Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai, described the initiative as a demonstration of the impact of collaboration among government institutions in addressing critical development challenges.
Ossai noted that food security, job creation and economic diversification remain central priorities for governments at all levels, adding that the Nomeh agricultural facility reflects a coordinated effort to deliver tangible outcomes in these areas.
“The development of this agricultural facility in Nomeh demonstrates what is possible when government institutions work together around a clear development objective,” he said.
“Enugu State is committed to creating the conditions for productive investment, and we are pleased to partner with the South East Development Commission on a project that will not only produce food but also create jobs, develop skills, support farmers and strengthen the agricultural value chain.”he add ed.
He added that the state government views the project as a strategic investment that could contribute significantly to the economic growth of Nkanu East, Enugu State and the wider South East region.
Unlike traditional agricultural projects that focus on a single commodity, the Nomeh facility has been structured as an integrated production system in which different components are interconnected and mutually reinforcing.
The design allows for efficient use of resources while minimising waste across the value chain.
Project details indicate that the facility will house a 200-head dairy herd, alongside poultry operations capable of producing up to 20,000 birds per cycle.
It will also include fisheries infrastructure, fodder cultivation areas, silage production units and agro-processing and demonstration centres.
Officials explained that the integrated model enables synergy among various agricultural activities. Fodder produced on-site will be used to support livestock, while animal manure and poultry waste are expected to be utilised for soil improvement and renewable energy generation. Surplus fodder will be processed into silage for internal use and distribution to participating farmers.
The project will also feature shared facilities for feed production, water supply, farm machinery and processing, thereby creating an agricultural ecosystem that connects production to value addition and markets.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission, Mr Mark Okoye, said the initiative was conceived as a practical demonstration of how agriculture can transition from fragmented, small-scale activities into a coordinated, technology-driven economic system.
“The South East Agro-Development Programme is about building the productive capacity of the region,” Okoye said. “We want to demonstrate what agriculture can look like when land, technology, mechanisation, production, processing, training and markets are brought together in one system.”
He emphasised that the success of the project would not be measured solely by output from the farm itself but by its wider economic impact on surrounding communities.
“The real impact is what happens beyond the farm,” he said. “It is about the young person who acquires a practical skill here and goes on to establish a farm elsewhere, the farmer who supplies maize or soybeans to the feed mill, and the dairy farmer who benefits from technical support and access to a reliable market.”
To extend its benefits, the project includes a training and out-grower programme designed to integrate surrounding communities into its value chain.
The training centre is expected to accommodate between 100 and 120 trainees at a time, offering practical instruction in dairy husbandry, poultry management, fisheries, fodder and silage production, and agricultural mechanisation.
Under the initial out-grower arrangement, about 300 households within a 10-kilometre radius of the facility are expected to participate. This number is projected to increase as the farm expands its operations.
Participating farmers will have access to agricultural inputs, technical support and mechanisation services, while the facility will provide aggregation and structured market opportunities.
Fodder growers, for instance, will receive planting materials, agronomic support and harvesting assistance, while dairy farmers will benefit from improved breeding services, feed supply and technical guidance.
Similar support structures are planned for poultry and fish producers within the surrounding communities, with the aim of strengthening local agricultural productivity and incomes.
The Commission estimates that the facility will create more than 1,000 direct jobs at full capacity, in addition to indirect employment from seasonal farm activities, processing operations and the broader network of participating farmers.
Representing the Federal Government at the event, the Minister of Regional Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, said the project aligns with the administration’s focus on inclusive and regionally balanced development.
He described the initiative as a model for addressing food insecurity through a comprehensive approach that goes beyond increasing cultivated land.
“Today is significant because it represents something bigger than the commencement of an agricultural project,” Momoh said. “It reflects the kind of development the Federal Government is seeking to promote—development that is productive, inclusive and capable of creating opportunities for Nigerians.”
He stressed that improving food security requires efficiency across the entire agricultural value chain, including production, processing, storage and distribution.
“The objective is not simply to produce more food,” he said.
“We must build a system that is productive, resilient and capable of creating value across the chain. That means improving productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, creating markets and ensuring that young Nigerians can participate meaningfully in modern agriculture.”he added
The Nomeh project comes amid renewed efforts by federal and state governments to boost domestic food production, reduce reliance on imports and create jobs through agriculture-driven industrialisation.
