Abia Flags Off AUDA-NEPAD Smallholder Farmers Initiative
Abia State Government has officially launched the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Smallholder Farmers Initiative, reaffirming its commitment to repositioning agriculture as a driver of economic growth, employment, and food security.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the JAAC Building in Umuahia, places Abia among seven pilot states selected to implement the continental programme. The initiative will empower smallholder farmers with access to finance, improved inputs, training in climate-smart practices, and structured markets.
Governor Alex Otti, represented by his deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, described the launch as a bold step toward restoring Abia’s place in Nigeria’s agricultural map.
“This is more than a project launch; it is a statement of our commitment to make agriculture the engine of growth and prosperity for our people,” Otti said.
Under the programme, 17,000 farming households across the 17 local government areas of the state will benefit, beginning with an initial 1,000 farmers in the pilot phase. Beneficiaries will receive training in sustainable farming, support to reduce post-harvest losses, and improved productivity measures.
Encouraging farmers to embrace the opportunity, Otti charged:
“Let us demonstrate that Abia’s farmers can compete with the best across the continent.”
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, highlighted the importance of the programme, noting that smallholder farmers account for over 90 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce. He praised the Otti administration for reviving the project, which had remained dormant since its national rollout in 2021.
“What we are witnessing today is the result of deliberate and focused leadership,” Agbaeze said. “This administration has turned a long-idle initiative into meaningful action.”
He also acknowledged the efforts of Princess Gloria Akobundu, former National Coordinator and CEO of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, for securing Abia’s inclusion in the pilot phase.
in his remarks, the National Coordinator and CEO of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Mr. Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi Tsauri Abubakar, expressed his gratitude to Governor Dr. Alex Otti for his unwavering commitment to the development of every sector of the state’s economy. He also commended the Governor for positioning the state as one of the first pilot states to participate in the programme.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Ijeoma Adanna Agwu; the immediate past National Coordinator/CEO of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akubundu; and the State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Catherine Osondu, stated that the project is designed to enhance the productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers. This will be achieved through the adoption of improved agricultural practices, innovative technologies, increased access to market funding, and other agricultural support initiatives.
The event attracted development partners, agricultural experts, and hundreds of local farmers, many of whom expressed optimism that the initiative would finally address the challenges confronting the sector.
