- Dr. Eric Odo defended appointing Senior Special Assistants on Agriculture to enhance food production and meet local demands in Igbo-Etiti
- The initiative aims to support local farmers by providing resources and expertise, fostering job creation and sustainable agricultural development
Dr. Eric Odo, Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area in Enugu State, has defended his decision to appoint Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) on Agriculture for crops like garden egg, yam, and pepper.
He stated the move was a strategic effort to enhance regional food production.
Speaking to reporters in Enugu on Wednesday, Odo explained that the appointments aimed to increase the production of these crops to meet local demands and explore export opportunities.
“Igbo-Etiti is highly suitable for cultivating these crops, giving us a great comparative advantage. These appointments ensure local farmers get the resources, expertise, and support they need to boost productivity and access better markets,” Odo said.
He added that critics misunderstood the initiative, which reflected his administration’s commitment to creating a thriving local economy rooted in agriculture.
“This decision is about job creation, uplifting farmers, and achieving immediate and long-term development goals for our communities,” he said.
Odo urged the public to disregard negative comments that sought to discredit his vision for transforming the local agricultural sector and fostering sustainable development.
Meanwhile, financial expert Kalu Aja praised the initiative, highlighting the economic importance of garden egg farming in the South-East.
In a post on his X account, Aja stated that garden egg farming offers over 50% return on investment, outperforming many other ventures.
“Garden egg is one of Nigeria and Ghana’s most consumed fruity vegetables, after pepper and tomatoes. It’s also a substitute for kola in many parts of the South-East,” Aja noted.
The chairman’s focus on leveraging local agricultural potential has been described as a forward-thinking approach to boosting food security and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers in Igbo-Etiti.