The Enugu State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s Fungtai Engineering Ltd to boost cash crop production. The agreement involves the development of 7,221 hectares of agricultural land at Ugwujoro, Nimbo, in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, aligning with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of advancing agriculture, agro-industrialisation, security, and employment in the state.
Additionally, the state government signed another MoU with the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) to establish a pre-fabricated Domestic Export Warehouse at Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo.
Speaking during the ceremonies at the Government House, Enugu, on Thursday, Governor Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, emphasized agriculture as a critical driver of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s goal of achieving a $30 billion GDP in the next six years.
“We expect a significant portion of our GDP growth to come from agriculture. This is why we are aggressively pursuing agricultural initiatives and agro-industrialisation,” Mbah said.
He added that the development of the Ugwujoro Nimbo farmland, located near the Kogi border, would help address security concerns in the area.
“This large agricultural initiative will ensure effective land utilization, leaving no room for criminal activities. As a government, we are committed to supporting this project to ensure its success, benefiting both the state and investors,” Mbah stated.
Chief Isaac Chuks, Managing Director of Fungtai Engineering Limited, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, describing Enugu State under the Mbah administration as a welcoming environment for investors.
“We are eager to begin. The state prioritizes agriculture and de-risks investments, which is commendable. We will make Enugu State proud,” Chuks assured.
In his remarks during the MoU signing with NCAN, Mbah highlighted the strategic importance of establishing a domestic export warehouse for cashew processing.
“The cashew industry is valued at over $7 billion globally. This collaboration ensures that cashew production is processed locally, boosting our GDP and creating jobs. With six council areas suitable for cashew cultivation, this partnership positions us for transformative growth,” he noted.
Dr. Ojo Ajanaku, National President of NCAN, pledged the association’s commitment to timely and efficient delivery, describing the initiative as a step toward optimizing Enugu’s cashew potential.
“We aim to aggregate farmers’ produce, encourage higher productivity, and ultimately revitalize the moribund Premier Cashew Industry Limited at Akama Oghe. We appreciate this opportunity and promise to deliver as expected,” Ajanaku said.
These partnerships reflect the state government’s commitment to leveraging agriculture for economic transformation, job creation, and sustainable development.
