Ndi Imo | RT HON EMEKA IHEDIOHA ADVOCATES PRIORITIZED INVESTMENTS IN YOUTHS ENGAGEMENT IN AGRIBUSINESS AT THE 2022 ANNUAL GLOBAL SUMMIT OF THE MBAISE POLICY ROUNDTABLE
RT HON EMEKA IHEDIOHA ADVOCATES PRIORITIZED INVESTMENTS IN YOUTHS ENGAGEMENT IN AGRIBUSINESS AT THE 2022 ANNUAL GLOBAL SUMMIT OF THE MBAISE POLICY ROUNDTABLE
Former Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, who was the Special Guest of Honor and Father of the day at the recently concluded 2022 Annual Global Summit of the Mbaise Policy Roundtable, has advocated for a more focused priority investment of Government in attracting youths to agriculture and/or agribusiness.
The theme of the Summit which held at the prestigious Chris VI Hotel at Ahiara Mbaise, was "Agriculture- A Pathway to Youth Empowerment and Mitigation of Insecurity in Rural Communities- A Case Study of the Mbaise Nation."
Ihedioha noted that with a youth population of over 30%, The progress or otherwise of any youth should be of utmost concern and paramount importance to Governments across board in the nation.
He identified some of the challenges facing agriculture in Mbaise, as includes Dense Population.
Lack of adequate Natural water streams/Rivers to complement agricultural production except in a place like Amumara.
Land tenure system and fragmentation that limits access to land for agriculture.
Over cultivation of the available land, and high cost of labor.
He further observed that the existing palm trees, which seems to be the major cash crop of Imo State are over used and need replacement with improved varieties. These challenges he suggested can be overcome through application of modern technology and the introduction of high quality seeds, fertilizers, and soil improvement techniques to improve yields.
Hon Ihedioha narrated his actions and experiences during his short tenure as Governor of Imo State, noted that over 667 youths drawn from all the political wards in Imo State were trained at CSS farms in Nasarawa State on modern farm techniques. Many of those that got the training are standing on their own today in running their agribusiness. He stated that the rice seed production business which he started in Amumara stands as evidence of the achievements of this commitment.
He expressed delighted that those rice farmers who got the government support are keeping the faith and proceeding with the initiative.
Other speakers on the star studded panel included; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Education, Prof Viola Onwuliri, Former Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Joe Ahaneku, Mbaise Born Olympics Gold Medalist, ACP Dr Chioma Ajunwa, Founder CSS Group, Professor John Kennedy Opara, who was represented by his top aide, MPR Program Director, Dr Jude Iheoma, Assistant Commandant of Imo State National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency, Mrs Margaret Nwoko, Coordinator MPR Campaign Against Drug Abuse (MCADA), Mr Kennedy Onwunali and MPR Chairman Professor Eddie Oparaoji.
Mbaise Policy Roundtable, is the pre-eminent Mbaise Public Policy and Business Advisory Council in the world focused entirely on the development of Mbaise and Imo State through the facilitation of financial and in-kind resources, private investments and public partnerships.
