By Chukwuka Ugokwe
The Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, has reaffirmed the Solution Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and agricultural transformation in its drive to ensure food security.
He stated this while delivering a keynote address at the National Youth Convention for Sustainable Tomorrow & Unveiling of the YES-T Project 5-F Initiative, themed “Yes, We Are Rising! Tomorrow is Brighter”, held at Emmaus House, Awka.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, commended ORISH-EL Community Development Initiatives and partners for creating a platform that positions youths at the center of agricultural innovation and enterprise.
“Agriculture is no longer about hoes and cutlasses; it is powered by laptops, drones, biotechnology, and digital markets.
“True empowerment comes from skills, opportunities, and markets that enable our youths to turn farming into profitable enterprises,” he said.
Highlighting Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Solution Agenda, he enumerated three priority areas currently shaping agricultural development in the state to include mitigating post-harvest losses through massive road infrastructure, cold-chain storage, and improved agri-logistics to ensure farmers’ produce reaches markets, processors, and consumers without waste.
Dr Ihejiofor further highlighted sectoral transformation via establishment of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) and Agricultural Transformation Centres (ATCs) to integrate production, processing, and packaging within rural communities.
This, he said, would create jobs and add value across key commodities like rice, cassava, fisheries, and vegetables.
Commenting on Youth-Centered Innovation, he identified expansion of mechanized farming access, agritech hubs, cooperative credit facilities, and skill-incubation under initiatives such as the “1 Youth, 2 Skills” program.
The Commissioner described food security as national security, calling on young people to embrace agriculture as a viable and profitable career path.
“Every seed we plant today safeguards tomorrow. Every skill we acquire today guarantees prosperity. Together, we can transform agriculture into the engine of empowerment, innovation, and sustainable development,” he concluded.
The YES-T Project 5-F Initiative focuses on Furniture, Fashion, Fabrication, Food, and Farm — all recognized as strategic sectors for job creation, food security, and grassroots economic empowerments.
Chukwuka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
