Abia Moves to Commercialize Agriculture Through ARMTI Collaboration

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced plans for a strategic partnership with the Agriculture and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) to transition subsistence farming in the state into a viable and sustainable agribusiness sector.

Governor Otti made this known on Tuesday, October 21, while receiving the Executive Director of ARMTI, Dr. Olufeme Oladunni, and his delegation at the Government House, Umuahia.

The Governor noted that about 70 percent of Abia’s population is involved in agricultural activities, mostly at a subsistence level, adding that with proper support and training, the sector could become a major driver of economic growth and job creation.

“This is a state where roughly 70 percent of our people engage in agriculture in one form or another. However, only a small fraction do so commercially. Our goal is to elevate all farmers—subsistence or commercial—to see agriculture as a business,” Otti said.

He emphasized that agriculture currently contributes about 23 to 24 percent of Abia’s GDP, underscoring the need to invest in modern, climate-smart practices that can boost productivity, reduce unemployment, and increase government revenue.

The Governor recalled that his administration had sponsored over 300 youths for agricultural training at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State last year, with more than 298 of them now running active farming ventures. He reaffirmed his government’s readiness to collaborate with ARMTI to build on such initiatives.

Governor Otti also commended ARMTI for choosing Abia as its Southeast regional headquarters and assured the delegation of the state government’s full support.

“You couldn’t have made a better decision. Abia has the right people and resources to support your mission,” he said, directing the Director-General of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) to ensure ARMTI’s team is well accommodated and supported with logistics and office space.

In his remarks, ARMTI’s Executive Director, Dr. Olufeme Oladunni, expressed appreciation for the Governor’s leadership and reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to partnering with the state government.

He explained that ARMTI’s mandate is to train and empower youths in modern agriculture through initiatives like the Village Alive Development Programme and expressed readiness to collaborate with GODA on new agricultural projects in the state.

Dr. Oladunni also lauded Governor Otti for his visionary governance and focus on agricultural transformation.

The Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, and the Director-General of GODA were among the officials present at the meeting.