AGRICULTURE

Enugu State has rich agricultural land as a result of its location within the tropical forest and savannah belts. Consequently, almost every tropical crop thrives in the State. Over 60% of the population are farmers growing food crops such as rice, cassava, maize, yams, banana and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Cash crops such as palm produce and cashew are also produced in large quantities. The State Government pursues a vigorous mechanized agricultural policy aimed at maximizing the potentials for food production.

The State Ministry of Agriculture and the State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) ensure the execution of this policy through the provision of improved seedlings, subsidized tractors and other modern farm equipment as well as pesticides and technical advice by agricultural extension workers at reduced costs. On its own side, the State Government is currently embarking upon capacity building (training of extension officers and farmers) as well as establishing a micro-credit fund for small to medium scale farmers of not less than N100 million in annual disbursement.

The current plan of the State Government is to concentrate on the following:

• Poultry and piggery
• Fruits and vegetable
• Rice, maize and cassava production
• Palm and cashew plantations