The Abia State Government has announced plans to establish six large-scale cocoa plantations across the state’s three geo-political zones as part of a major agricultural investment drive.
Deputy Governor, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, disclosed the initiative in Umuahia, stating that the government will fully fund the project in partnership with the Ministries of Lands and Agriculture. Each plantation will cover a minimum of 50 hectares in six Local Government Areas— Ikwuano, Isialangwa North, Bende, Ohafia, Obingwa, and Ukwa East.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, revealed that ₦1.378 billion has been earmarked for the project, which aims to boost internally generated revenue, attract investors, and create jobs.
Stakeholders including mayors of the benefiting LGAs, the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, and local council leaders praised the initiative, describing it as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. They also urged the government to leverage the state’s forest reserves and improve rural access roads to maximize the project’s impact.
With this move, Abia positions itself to harness its agricultural potential for long-term economic transformation.
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