ABSG Approves ESTABLISHMENT OF A CSS-TYPE LARGE-SCALE e INTEGRATED FARMING, BEGINS LAND MAPPING IN ABIA

By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu On Jul 30, 2025

Abia State Government (ABSG) has approved the establishment of a CSS-type large-scale integrated farming structure in the state.

The Commissioner for information Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing journalists today on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. He said that the state government is establishing the the CSS – type of farm in order to strengthen food security in the state.

According to him, the administration of Dr. Alex Otti has completed the first phase supervision exercise of the CSS – farm trained farmers .

“You recall that sometime last year, about 302 young Abians were sent to CSS farms in Nasarawa state for training and after their training, they were empowered.

” Now we are bringing that to the state, and when that is in place here in the state, it will not only boost the food production capacity of the state government but, offer a training ground for our teaming youths to go into agriculture and agribusiness,” Prince Kanu said.

Prince Kanu also said that the success rate of the first phase of the exercise is put at over 80% and that the beneficiaries who used the funds that were given to them judiciously and trained at least three new farmers, and are in a position to pay back the interest-free funds that were extended to them will be adequately encouraged.

He added that some promises were made to the incubatees (trainees) that they would be identified and adequately empowered after their training to go into different areas of agriculture they were trained in, which he said is in line with the objectives of the programme.

Prince Kanu noted that about 26 of the beneficiaries who did not make themselves available for access or supervision of their projects, and as such, cannot adequately account for the funds extended to them would face serious sanction.

He also announced that the state government through the Ministry of Agriculture has approved to support farmers with improved imputs
which would be rolled out in the next couple of weeks. He added that the distribution would be based on the database from the Ministry of Agriculture, which the Ministry put together during their farmers enumeration exercise.

“And this is just to ensure the credibility of the programme , so that those who are actually into agriculture, who deserve these imputes, will get them”. Princes Kanu stated.

The Commissioner for Information further informed that the Ministry of Lands and Housing is conducting an aerial imagery of Abia’s 4,795.74 square kilometres space, including a radar and 2D line mapping of Aba and Umuahia, measuring about 2,220 square kilometres, adding that these efforts are meant to strengthen the house efficient delivery of services of the Ministry.

He explained that, “the aerial mapping of our land space, will enable the government know and make it easier for them to know the extent of lands in Abia, and areas where government could carry out projects,” he stated.

“The training of the 302 Abians across the 184 wards. And they were trained at Nassarawa, and that was followed up by the empowerment program.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Land and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije explained that mapping of the land space is made to strengthen the efficient delivery of services of the government.

“All these efforts are made to strengthen the efficient delivery of services on the Ministry.

“With this area mapping of our land space, it makes it easier for them to know areas where government will carry out projects,” Chukwumerije stated.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma were present at the briefing.

DIVINE NWANKWO & OGECHI CHRISTOPHER
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, UMUAHIA
29 – 07 – 2025.