World Food Day: Anambra Front-runner in Food Security, Inclusive Prosperity – Commissioner

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor has described Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration as “a front-runner in food security and inclusive prosperity through agriculture-led transformation.”

The commissioner stated this in Awka at the Farmers’ Solidarity and Endorsement Rally cum 2025 World Food Day Celebration, themed “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,”

Addressing thousands of farmers, processors, and stakeholders at the Alex Ekwueme square, Ihejiofor said Soludo’s mantra “One People, One Government, One Agenda” has practically unified development efforts across multiple sectors to secure better livelihoods for all.

“Every initiative of the Solution Government is a deliberate dot connecting to a common goal — to make Anambra a liveable, productive, and food-secure homeland,” he said.

The Commissioner highlighted landmark initiatives driving the State’s agricultural revolution, including the Regenerative Agriculture Policy, Oil Palm and Coconut Revolution, Igbo Economic Tree Crops Programme, and distribution of free organic fertilizer to over 20,000 smallholder farmers.

“Other initiatives are the IFAD-VCDP empowerment of over 13,000 farmers, the ATASP-1 Mega Irrigation Project in Ayamelum serving 10,000 hectares of rice fields, and the forthcoming Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) and Agriculture Transformation Centres (ATCs) which will boost processing, value addition, and youth employment,” he said.

Ihejiofor further praised the Farm to Feed Campaign, which has been adopted by Local Government Mayors across the State, “mainstreaming homestead food production in both urban and rural households.”

He equally commended the governor’s wife, Dr Nonye Soludo for championing the Healthy Living Gardens Initiative — a school-based program promoting nutrition, environmental awareness and hands-on food cultivation among children.

“With these twin initiatives: Farm to Feed and Healthy Living Gardens — food security has become a household and community affair in Anambra,” he said.

According to the Commissioner, Soludo’s massive road infrastructure projects, free education, free maternal healthcare, and social intervention programs are also integral components of food security, strengthening household resilience and productivity.

“Our farmers have not gathered today for politics, but for gratitude. They have seen the seeds of transformation already germinating across Anambra.

“Their endorsement of Governor Soludo is an endorsement of continuity, progress, and shared prosperity.” the Commissioner stated.