The Anambra State Government has announced plans to partner with a Chinese consortium of agricultural firms to scale up rice production and improve farmers’ capacity across the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking with journalists at the Anambra State House of Assembly complex in Awka, shortly after the ministry’s 2026 budget defence.
According to Ihejiofor, the partnership will focus on increasing rice production in Ayamelum Local Government Area, one of the state’s major rice-producing zones.
He explained that the state government is adopting a public-private partnership model to enhance productivity in rice cultivation in communities with comparative advantage.
“The state government will be mainstreaming the public-private partnership model to enhance productivity in the cultivation of rice in the advantaged communities of the state. A partnership deal is being struck with a Chinese consortium of agricultural firms to upscale rice production in Ayamelum LGA,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the consortium would train local farmers on modern farming practices aimed at improving yield, adding that rice yield in Anambra currently stands at about three to four tonnes per hectare, compared to nine to 10 tonnes per hectare achieved in China.
“The consortium will train farmers in the state and demonstrate how to improve crop yield through modern farm practices and methods. This will help us move from the current four tonnes per hectare to as much as 10 tonnes per hectare,” Ihejiofor added.
He also revealed that the state government is investing in irrigation infrastructure to enable year-round farming and address irregular rainfall caused by climate change.
On crop diversification, Ihejiofor said the state has so far purchased and distributed over 2.2 million oil palm and coconut seedlings to about 180,000 households across Anambra.
“Till date, we have distributed not less than 2.2 million oil palm and coconut seedlings to approximately 180,000 households, with each household receiving 10 seedlings. In four to seven years, when these seedlings begin to yield, many of these families will be lifted out of poverty, as the crops can produce for over 60 years,” he said.
He added that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has proposed to empower at least 100,000 households again in 2026 with economic seedlings, noting that the household-based distribution model aligns with the state’s land tenure system.
The commissioner further disclosed that the governor has approved N500 million for irrigation projects at Ifite-Ogwari, stating that the initiative would enable farmers in the area to produce rice up to three times yearly.
He also recalled that in August 2025, the state government launched the ‘Farm to Feed’ programme aimed at boosting food production and curbing rising food costs, with several local governments already keying into the initiative to strengthen farmers’ capacity.
