The Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation has celebrated World Food Day with an engaging and colourful event that brought together farmers, agricultural stakeholders, food vendors, government officials, and other key players in the agricultural value chain to showcase their products, promote food security, and strengthen the agricultural market in the state.
The event, which commenced at approximately 11:20 a.m., followed the arrival of the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who was ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Chidiebere Onyia. The gathering provided an important platform for stakeholders to interact, exchange ideas, display locally produced food items, and explore opportunities for growth in agriculture and agro-industrialisation.
The celebration witnessed the participation of numerous farmers, vendors, food producers, and agricultural entrepreneurs who came out to display a wide range of food products and agricultural produce. Their participation highlighted the diversity of agricultural activities in Enugu State and demonstrated the entrepreneurial potential of farmers and small-scale food businesses.
The exhibition created an opportunity for participants to present their products to government officials, dignitaries, and members of the public. It also provided a platform for networking, business promotion, and discussions on how locally produced agricultural goods can gain greater market access and attract more consumers.
The event was lively and interactive, as dignitaries engaged with vendors, inspected their products, and interacted with participants. These engagements helped to draw attention to the contributions of farmers and food entrepreneurs to the state’s economy and the importance of building a sustainable agricultural sector.
The celebration further reinforced the need to support local producers, improve food availability, encourage value addition, and strengthen the connection between agricultural production and market development.
In his address, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Ubru, delivered an encouraging speech in which he urged participants and farmers to remain committed to developing and sustaining the agricultural market.
He encouraged farmers to consistently improve their production activities, maintain the quality of their products, and take advantage of available opportunities to expand their businesses. His message emphasised the importance of building a reliable market where agricultural products can be sold, consumers can access quality food, and farmers can obtain better value for their hard work.
The Commissioner’s remarks also highlighted the importance of collaboration among government institutions, farmers, vendors, and other agricultural stakeholders in achieving meaningful progress in the sector.
His encouragement served as a reminder that agricultural development goes beyond producing food; it also requires effective marketing, proper handling, value addition, and the establishment of dependable channels through which farm produce can reach consumers.
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Enugu State, was also present at the event, demonstrating its commitment to supporting livestock farmers and strengthening the livestock subsector in the state.
The L-PRES Enugu State team used the occasion to create awareness about the project and encouraged livestock farmers to become more involved in organised livestock development initiatives. By making registration opportunities available at the event, the team brought its services closer to farmers and promoted greater participation in programmes designed to improve livestock productivity and resilience.
Veterinarians from the Model Veterinary Hospital in Akwuke, Enugu State, were also present to witness the celebration and demonstrate the importance of veterinary services in the agricultural and livestock value chain.
Their participation highlighted the vital relationship between animal health, food safety, livestock productivity, and public health. Veterinary professionals play an essential role in promoting healthy animals, preventing and managing animal diseases, supporting livestock farmers, and helping to ensure that animal-source foods are safe for consumption.
The presence of the veterinary team complemented the participation of L-PRES Enugu State and reinforced the importance of professional veterinary care in livestock production.
One of the major highlights of the celebration was the exciting and engaging interaction between government dignitaries and the participating vendors. The dignitaries moved around the exhibition area, engaging with exhibitors and observing the range of products presented.
These interactions provided an opportunity for vendors to showcase their businesses and communicate the value of their products directly to government representatives and other visitors. The atmosphere was lively, with participants demonstrating enthusiasm and pride in their agricultural produce and entrepreneurial activities.
The engagement also created room for stakeholders to appreciate the efforts of farmers and food producers while recognising the importance of creating an enabling environment for agricultural businesses to thrive.
The World Food Day celebration served as an important reminder of the role agriculture plays in economic development, food security, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Through the participation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, L-PRES Enugu State, the veterinarians from the Model Veterinary Hospital in Akwuke, farmers, vendors, and other stakeholders, the event demonstrated the value of a coordinated approach to agricultural development.
The showcase of food products highlighted the productive capacity of local farmers and entrepreneurs, while the livestock farmer registration initiative provided an opportunity to broaden participation in livestock development programmes.
The event also reinforced the need to strengthen agricultural markets, encourage local production, improve access to relevant support services, and foster stronger partnerships between government institutions and private agricultural businesses.
As Enugu State continues to pursue agricultural transformation and agro-industrialisation, initiatives of this nature can help promote awareness, stimulate business opportunities, and encourage greater investment in the agricultural value chain.
