…reaffirms Uyo’s readiness to host Agribusiness International Conference, October 25-28
By Ime Silas
UYO — The Convener of the 5th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference and South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative, NAADI, Dr. Howard Usen, has lauded the strides recorded in the agricultural sector in Akwa Ibom State, attributing the milestones to the expertise, professionalism, commitment and loyalty of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, to the ARISE Agenda of Governor Pastor Umo Eno.
Dr. Usen made the commendation in Uyo on Thursday while speaking on the preparedness of the state to host the International Agribusiness Conference scheduled for October 25 to 28, 2026.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State has in the last three years witnessed unprecedented transformation in agriculture, moving from subsistence farming to mechanized, commercially viable and investment-driven agribusiness, largely due to the purposeful leadership provided by Dr. Offor at the Ministry of Agriculture.
“Dr. Offiong Offor has brought expertise, professionalism and uncommon commitment to her assignment. She understands the vision of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, and she has demonstrated absolute loyalty in translating that vision into practical programmes that are impacting farmers across the 31 local government areas,” Dr. Usen said.
He noted that under the stewardship of the Commissioner, the Ibom Model Farm, the 50-hectare agro-tourism and training edifice situated in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, has become a flagship project of the administration.
“The Ibom Model Farm, when fully completed, will boost food security, boost tourism and train youths to own and manage farms. It has dormitories, hotels, poultry, crop, vegetable components and greenhouse facilities. This is not just a farm, it is a school and a tourist destination. That innovation is a product of the Ministry of Agriculture under Dr. Offor,” he stated.
Dr. Usen also listed other milestones achieved in the sector under the Agric Commissioner to include the establishment of the Equipment Leasing Company which provides tractors and other farm implements to farmers at a 50 percent subsidy on land preparation, thereby reducing dependence on traditional farming methods and making mechanized agriculture more accessible.
He added that the disbursement of over N2 billion in grants to farmers across crop and livestock value chains, with effective monitoring to ensure judicious use, has restored confidence among farmers and expanded production.
“According to records, the administration has provided N2 billion in grants to farmers. This is a huge intervention that has touched crop farmers, livestock farmers and processors. The Commissioner ensured that the funds went to real farmers and that monitoring teams followed up. That is professionalism,” Dr. Usen said.
On rural infrastructure, Dr. Usen commended the Ministry’s drive in the implementation of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP, which has earmarked 486 kilometres of rural feeder roads across the 31 local government areas.
“Jointly funded by the World Bank, the French Development Agency, the federal government and the state government, this project is expected to improve farmers’ access to markets, reduce post-harvest losses and ease access to schools and healthcare facilities. The Commissioner has been very proactive in driving this,” he noted.
Dr. Usen further highlighted the Tree Crop Revolution Programme where more than 250,000 oil palm seedlings are targeted for distribution across the state, with 14 local government areas already covered and over 1,700 farmers reached, alongside the distribution of over 250,000 cocoa seedlings to over 3,000 farmers in 2025 and over 100,000 seedlings to over 850 cocoa farmers in 2026.
He said the Back-to-Farm and Home Farm initiatives championed by the Ministry have encouraged households to return to farming, thereby deepening food sufficiency in the state.
According to Dr. Usen, the choice of Akwa Ibom for the 5th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference was not accidental, but was influenced by the visible reforms and investments in agriculture under Governor Umo Eno, ably implemented by Dr. Offor.
“Governor Umo Eno has sustained mega investment in agriculture because he has a competent Commissioner who shares his passion for food security. Dr. Offor has repositioned agriculture as a driver of jobs, wealth creation and food security in line with the ARISE Agenda. That is why we are bringing the world to Uyo to see what Akwa Ibom is doing,” he said.
He expressed confidence that participants at Uyo 2026 will have an opportunity to interact with the Ministry and learn from the Akwa Ibom model of agricultural development.