Enugu – Enugu State Government on Thursday urged local and international investors to take advantage of the state’s partnership scheme in its agro-allied and agriculture sub-sector.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu .
Ogbu-Nwobodo said the government was implementing an open-door partnership with all categories of agro-allied and agricultural investors to diversify its economy.
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi recently said N1.317 billion was earmarked for the agro-allied and agriculture sub-sector out of budget estimate of N85.1 billion for 2016.
Ogbu-Nwobodo said the government would leverage on Public Private Partnership to achieve the scheme, to boost the production of key staple crops such as rice, oil palm and cashew.
“This Administration is committed to invest heavily in material and human capital development in agriculture.
“We all know that the sector holds bright prospects for the much-desired food security and employment of our growing youth population.
“Efforts will be made to consolidate and improve on the achievements of the previous administration in Enugu Songhai Initiative, Enugu San Carlos Pineapple Programme, World Bank-assisted Commercial Agriculture and FADAMA Projects.
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“Attention will also be given to Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, which is expected to produce the agricultural manpower needs of the state,’’ he said.
The commissioner urged corporate bodies and faith-based organisations to key into the government’s plan to use the key staple crops as a means to enhance the economy of the state.
“We will engage in value-chain addition and packaging of these three agricultural products for investment and export drive for the state,’’ he added. (NAN)
