A multi million naira maize farm has been established in Achala Umuchu, Aguata Local Area of Anambra state by Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, owner of Orient Feed Mills and Farms Limited.
Ezeemo said when the farm is fully operational that the farm would be employing over 2000 youths of employable age.
Ezeemo made the disclosure on Friday in Umuchu when he was conducting a team of agricultural expert from Republic of Benin lead by Mr. Masline Howssou Yemaline, some journalists and Manger of the farm Mr. Kenechukwu Ifejeme round the over 2000 hectares of farmland.
The proprietor of the Orient Feed mills and Farm, Ezeemo urged all tiers of government to invest in agriculture in order to address the problem of youth unemployment.
He said the verse arable land will be used to cultivate corn that will be used in production of feed for the 50,000 birds in his poultry farm.
“We have bird poultry where we can raise our old layers and broilers for table meat and our fishery. The corn will be a major constituent of the feed for the animals and we are targeting to employ 2000 to 3,000 youths when the place is fully operational.
“We chose corn for this land because the land has been fallow for over 15 years and that is why we started constructing the 3km road down to this place. We are tarring the road so that vehicles can pass through this place when it rains” he said.
According to him part of the reason for establishing and expanding of his farm was to put his own quota in assisting governments to realize its agricultural agenda .
He said that the farm would enhance the food security, human capital development, increase in internally generated revenue and poverty reduction among the citizens.
He said that agriculture remains a remedy to youth unemployment in the country as when well harnessed in the country would create jobs more than the oil sector and also attracts further investment by local and international investors .
Ezeemo however lamented the lack of access road to the farm and urged the state government to assist him through the provisions of access road to the farm by asphalting the place.
He said “as I am an individual am suppose not to spend a dine in road construction but I am forced to do that as it keeps our operation to a stalemate”.
“I really need government assistance. What I have is fund that originates from an individual but if government comes in, the fund we would have committed in constructing this road will now be used in expanding the farm and creating more jobs.
“I also want them to assist in the other road that may be a km road across Orient Group office (Portal Business Park). Measurement has been taken and the rain is fast approaching and nothing is being done. We are incurring massive losses on that road and whatever that pomes out of the place will be for the good of the state because we also pay taxes from there.
Also he urged the Federal government to assist in the provision of power supply to ensure the viability of the projects and business in the country.
Speaking after being conducted round the farmland , the agro expert Mr. Masline Howssou Yemaline reiterated the need for governments to partner with local farmers and investors in agricultural sector to realize its agenda at ensuring food sufficiency and job creation.
He tasked the people of the state to invest in agricultural production while urging the government to provide enabling environment to ensure the promotion of farming.
Mr. Kenechukwu Ifemeje stated that the farm would add value to the federal government efforts at encouraging agricultural production.