By Faridat Salifu
At the 2025 Annual Global Summit of the Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR) held recently in Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, experts and leaders from various sectors converged on the pressing issue of land scarcity affecting agricultural development in Imo State.
Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo State, delivered a keynote address on the theme: “From Farm to Fortune, Tech to Cash: Leveraging Acquired Agriculture and Digital Skills for Financial Success and Development of Mbaise.”
Ihedioha acknowledged the significant challenge of limited arable land in the region, but emphasized that solutions lay in collective action, technological integration, and strategic planning.
He urged farmers to embrace cooperative farming models, conduct soil tests for crop suitability, and approach agricultural challenges with discipline and patience.
“We are facing a major challenge of land availability for farming,” Ihedioha stated, maintaining, “Though this will take time to address, the key is commitment—farming can still be a path to prosperity if we act together and remain dedicated.”
He stressed that the responsibility of government lies in ensuring the welfare of the people, and that welfare can be achieved through policies and initiatives aimed at empowering citizens, particularly in agriculture.
Ihedioha urged participants to take ownership of their agricultural ventures and use the available tools—digital and technical skills—to enhance productivity.
The summit was convened by Prof. Edward Oparaoji, who lauded the MPR as a transformative platform for the development of Mbaise, particularly in the agricultural and business sectors.
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Oparaoji highlighted that MPR’s impact was not limited to theory, but extended to practical, sustainable results in improving livelihoods through vocational training and skill development.
“The programme has had a profound impact on empowering people in Mbaise, particularly through agricultural ventures and the support of allied businesses,” he noted.
Joe Anosikeh, the President-General of Ezuruezu Mbaise, a prominent sociocultural group, praised the summit’s empowerment focus and urged attendees to embrace Information Communication Technology (ICT) and agribusiness ventures to secure their futures.
He emphasized that regardless of educational background, acquiring relevant skills in agriculture and technology would be key to thriving in today’s economy.
Agribusiness expert, Miss Ngozi Okechukwu, provided further insights into the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural value chain, identifying critical elements such as access to finance, marketing, infrastructure, and policies as foundational to successful agribusiness ventures.
Okechukwu suggested fostering public-private partnerships, supporting self-help farming clusters, and developing innovative farming models to overcome financial and marketing barriers, ensure food security, and create sustainable wealth.
One of the summit’s core themes was the need to integrate technology and cooperative models to overcome land scarcity and improve productivity.
By pooling resources and knowledge, the summit believed, farmers could maximize the use of available land, enhance food security, and promote economic resilience in the region.
The summit emphasized that addressing the agricultural and land use challenges in Mbaise and Imo State requires practical engagement from all stakeholders, including farmers, government bodies, and private enterprises.
