Enugu State government is set to collaborate with moringa farmers with a view to achieving N11 billion revenue target annually from the farm produce.
According to the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Patrick Umbu, the project is also aimed at empowering the youths and create massive job opportunities in moringa farming for the people of the state.
Umbu disclosed these while receiving a delegation from Moringa Productions, Marketers and i Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria led by its chairman, Dr Michael Ashimashiga along side with the South-East Coordinator of the group, Mr Lazarus Ofili in Enugu.
The commissioner, according to a statement signed by Ashimashiga and made available to our correspondent in Abuja, added that the state government has allotted 1,000 hectares of land for moringa plantation for youth empowerment and social development.
He noted that moringa farming, if fully harnessed, has the capacity to provide direct huge amount of money into the coffers of the government and reduce unemployment among the youths and women.
“In a bid to diversify our economy, there is the need to channel our energy and resources into agriculture, particularly, moringa which has potential to change our economy within the shortest time,” Umbu stressed.
Speaking earlier, the chairman, Moringa Productions, Marketers and Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, Dr. Michael Ashimashiga requested the supports of the Enugu State government for arable land for cultivation of moringa in this year’s rainy season.
Ashimashiga explained that the produce has the capacity to change the narratives of the nation’s economy more than oil sector, only if the government, youths and women embrace it as alternative to oil sector.
Also, the South-East Zonal Coordinator and Global Chairman, Adada General Assembly, Mr Lazarus Ofili appreciated the determination of the Enugu State government to pilot the project in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, stressing that it would add more economy value to the growth of the area and the state at large.
On his own, the Chairman, Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of the state, Mr Joseph Chijioke pledged maximum support of his administration towards the success of the project.