A Professor of
Agric Economics, Ralph Echebiri, on Monday advised Ndigbo to invest in kola nut
plantation to boost the revenue of the South Eastern region.
Echebiri gave
the advice during the 2015 `idor Orji culture’ (planting of kola nut) ceremony
at Obizi, Ezinneihitte Mbaise, Imo.
The don said
that large scale cultivation of the kola nut was a veritable avenue to economic
wealth.
The professor,
who is the Dean of the Faculty of Agric Economics, Michael Okpara University of
Agriculture, Umudike, Aba, said kola nut plantation cultivation was capable of
creating job opportunities for the teeming Ndigbo, if well managed.
“Beyond the
tradition of using kola nut to promote unity, establishing kola nut plantations
in many parts of the South-East geopolitical zone could provide jobs and
revenue to the people,’’ he said.
Echebiri also
advised the people to venture into other agricultural sector, especially modern
agriculture to cushion the effect of dwindling oil economy.
He said with
the fertile land, Nigerians had the potential to meet and surpass the food need
of its people and earn foreign reserve without relying much on crude oil.
Chief Solomon
Nnamocha, the President, and CEO of Solonns Investment Ltd, a maritime company
with head office in Port Harcourt, urged corporate and wealthy Nigerians to
invest in agriculture to tackle unemployment problem in Nigeria.
“Large expanse
of land, which stretched along the Ezinneihitte Mbaise end of the Imo River
bank, is enough for mass production of agricultural crops to boost the local
economy.
“Presently, we
may not have the crude oil as it is in other areas within the Niger Dealt
region, but we have fertile land.
“We can take
advantage of the fertile land to improve the fortune of our area,’’ he said.
Nnamocha said
wealthy people could also invest in aquaculture, livestock, and plantations
agriculture, adding that the return on such investment was promising.
He noted that
if the people could key into the agricultural policies of the Federal
Government, they could obtain credit facilities to further expand their
agricultural ventures.
Chief Basil
Ogwunga, and Chief Ignatius Okeahalam, both indigenes of Obizi in Imo, said
that cultivation of kola nut was significant as the event cements good
relationship among the fourteen communities in Ezinneihitte Mbaise.
Ogwunga said
that numerous kola nut seedlings sold during the event were avenue of raising
revenue for the community to embark on developmental projects and encourage the
people to plant cash crops.
Okeahalam, one
time chairman of Heartland FC, Owerri, used the medium to call on the youths to
re-channel their energies towards agriculture development.
Two
traditional rulers, Eze Stephen Azubuine of Obizi community and Robert Ahaneku,
the President General of Obizi autonomous community, said the planting of kola
nut event was a prelude to the Jan. 1, 2016 iwa orji Ezinneihitte (breaking of
kola nut) festival to be hosted by Obizi community.
Business Day
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