SEDC Signs Deal With Abia to Launch Large-Scale Agricultural Development Programme

The South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the Abia State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a strategic partnership aimed at expanding commercial agriculture, attracting investment and creating jobs across the state.

The agreement, signed on Wednesday in Umuahia, formally positions Abia as a host state for the commission's agro-development programme, marking another step in efforts to modernise agriculture and unlock the state's economic potential.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, said the partnership is rooted in the state's long-term agricultural transformation agenda, which began taking shape in 2025.

According to him, the vision is to move agriculture beyond subsistence farming into a commercially viable sector capable of driving economic growth, increasing internally generated revenue and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

"This vision, captured in Abia Ministry of Agriculture's strategic documents, focuses on large-scale agricultural development, transitioning agriculture from subsistence to commercial production, creating economic opportunities and building a sustainable agricultural sector that will contribute significantly to the state's GDP, create employment and boost internally generated revenue," Agbaeze said.

He added that the state also intends to improve the livelihoods of farmers by ensuring agriculture becomes both a source of food security and income generation.

"We envision transitioning our people from hand-to-mouth farming to a system that not only puts food on their tables but also puts money in their pockets," he added.

Agbaeze disclosed that the SEDC had already inspected and identified suitable locations for mechanised agriculture, laying the groundwork for the legal processes that culminated in the signing of the agreement.

Under the partnership, Abia State will provide land for the projects, while the South East Development Commission will facilitate investment into the state's agricultural value chain.

According to the commissioner, the signing of the agreement clears the path for the full implementation of the project.

"The agreements have been drawn up and signed. We now look forward to a full rollout as soon as possible," he said.

On behalf of the commission, SEDC Managing Director, Mark Okoye, represented by the Executive Director of Finance, Stanley Ohajuruka, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the region's development agenda.

He said the partnership reflects a shared commitment by both institutions to pursue deliberate, collaborative and sustainable economic development across the South-East.

Ohajuruka noted that although the region has long been recognised for its entrepreneurial spirit, resilient people and strong agricultural heritage, governments and development institutions must create the right environment to unlock its full economic potential.

He said the commission believes meaningful progress can only be achieved through strong collaboration among governments, communities, development partners and the private sector.

"Beyond the document we are signing today is a commitment to create opportunities, strengthen communities and build a future that delivers real value to our people," he said.

According to him, the commission will measure the success of the partnership by the volume of investments attracted, the number of jobs created, communities empowered and the tangible impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.

Speaking on the implementation timeline, Okoye said the commencement date for the Abia project has not yet been fixed because a steering committee responsible for driving the initiative is still being constituted.

He however, noted that while a similar SEDC agricultural project in Enugu State is expected to commence within three weeks, the Abia programme will begin once the necessary implementation structures are in place.

The SEDC delegation at the signing ceremony included Executive Director for Natural Resources Agriculture and Rural Development, Cliff Ogbede; Board Member representing Abia State, Daniel Akwari; Head of Legal Services, Nnanna Obeta; and Technical Assistant to the Executive Director for Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development, Nnamdi Umunnabuike.