Abia Partners with German Firm on Smart Farming, Rice, and Cassava Initiatives

The Abia State Ministry of Agriculture has commenced talks with Germany-based agribusiness group, Eurafrican-Alliance e.V., to drive a range of innovative agricultural projects focused on smart farming, food security, and industrial-scale cassava and rice production.

Led by its Chairman, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the Eurafrican-Alliance delegation met with the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Umuahia. The high-level meeting brought together key stakeholders from both parties to align the organization’s ongoing and planned projects with the state’s agricultural development goals.

Eurafrican-Alliance highlighted several of its initiatives already underway in the state, including the successful training and sponsorship of 36 farmers in Sustainable Rice Production (SRP), in partnership with GIZ. These farmers have cultivated 750 hectares of rice in Atani, Arochukwu LGA, with harvest season approaching. The group also unveiled plans to maximize rice by-products by converting them into fertilizer, bricks, and charcoal.

In addition, the organization announced a cassava processing facility in Ozuitem, Bende LGA, targeting daily starch production of 50 tons. With land already secured, installation of machinery is in progress. The team expressed interest in partnering with the Abia State Government under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to expand these projects.

Concerns were raised by Dr. Onu Nwokedi, Director of Epidemiology, regarding the focus of the initiatives—whether they primarily serve local food needs or international markets. The Eurafrican-Alliance clarified that while a portion of cassava starch is geared toward industrial use, products like garri and cassava flour will cater to local consumption. Dr. Ojo Uma Ojo, Director of Agriculture, advised the group to integrate with the ongoing farmer data enumeration and recommended assigning a liaison officer from the Ministry to ensure proper coordination.

Commissioner Agbaeze praised the alliance’s initiatives but urged clearer articulation of the partnership framework to better define the state’s role. He encouraged the submission of a detailed proposal and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support ventures aligned with its agricultural vision.

This strategic engagement signals a strong move toward enhancing Abia’s agricultural output through sustainable technologies, value chain development, and international collaboration, with potential benefits including job creation, food sufficiency, and economic growth.

Attendees included Permanent Secretary Dr. Ijeoma Adanma Aguwa; retired DIG Azubuko Joel Udah of Eurafrican-Alliance; AFAN member Nduim Ikelua; Co-founder Kelvin Balbach; Project Manager Agbaji Chinedu; Project Supervisor Nwabueze Chukwumaobi O.; Eke Ojukwu; and Onyekachi I. Obike of Idyllic Farms Ltd.