SEDC To Kick-Start 50,000 Hectare Agro-Mechanisation Project…

The South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has concluded arrangements to kick-start the 50,000-hectare agro-mechanisation project in Enugu State, to tackle insecurity, unemployment and food insecurity.

Key Highlights

• The South-East Development Commission (SEDC) will commence its 50,000-hectare agro-mechanisation project on September 22, 2026.
• The project will cover the 15 senatorial zones across the five South-East states.
• SEDC Managing Director Mark Okoye said the initiative is designed to address food insecurity, unemployment and insecurity in the region.
• Pilot farms of between 200 and 300 hectares will be developed in each senatorial zone.
• The farms will produce staple crops such as cassava and maize, alongside selected cash crops.

The SEDC 50,000-hectare agro-mechanisation project to be established in the 15 senatorial zones of the five South-East states would commence on September 22.

This is contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the Governor of Enugu State, Chief Uche Anichukwu, on Wednesday in Enugu.

Managing Director of the SEDC, Mr. Mark Okoye, disclosed this during a community engagement at the pilot project site in Nomeh Unateze community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State on Tuesday.

Okoye said the SEDC has following its establishment in 2024, used the first year to do extensive studies and design a blueprint that cuts across different areas of the South-East economy.

He said the agro-mechanisation project remains a major part of the commission’s blueprint, explaining that it would address insecurity, unemployment, and food security.

Okoye said that the SEDC is committed to develop 50,000 hectares of land that would be used for mechanised farming across the region.

“We are here for a pre-assessment, pre-flag-off visit to see the area, understand the level of work that needs to be done and ensure that contractors can start mobilising so that once we hit the site, we start running.

“Because a big part of what we are looking at is how to address food insecurity and unemployment, ensuring that we are producing what we put on the table.

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“We are starting with pilot programmes where we are taking 200 to 300 hectares of farmland across 15 senatorial zones and developing them to standard farms.

“Where you not only have cassava, maize, some of our staple crops, but also some cash crops. In some areas, there will be the centres for learning and centres for productivity,” he said.

Okoye said that Governor Mbah would flag off the project on Tuesday, adding the SEDC team came to assess the area, meet with the community and ensurr that all the plans are in place.

“And within the second we put this investment here, at least N4 billion or N5 billion of added investment will come in,” he said.

Okoye commended President Bola Tinubu for addressing the long yearning by the South-East for a commission to mobilise resources and coordinate development in the region.

He urged the people to reciprocate the numerous gestures by supporting the Tinubu to continue the development efforts post 2027.

He further revealed that the commission would soon roll ou an investment agency to help mobilise local and diaspora investments for the region’s speedy development.