The Abia government says it has introduced Abia State Agriculture Dynamic Database System (Abia ADDS), to ensure a credible and geo-referenced record of farmers, their farms and their activities.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, made this known on Thursday, during the 2025 World Food Day celebration at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
Agbaeze said that the initiative being first of its kind in the state, would allow the ministry to plan government interventions on seeds, fertilizers and equipment with accuracy, thereby avoiding waste, leakages or diversion.
According to him, by using data to design targeted input packages and advisory, farmers can significantly increase yields per hectare.
He said that the database would serve as a living agricultural intelligence system making Abia’s agricultural policies very effective and a benchmark for other states.
Agbaeze continued: “Through remote sensing technology and AI-powered advisory, farmers can now “consult” with ADDS and plan their planting with more precision.
“Over time, this translates to higher output per farmer, per community and, of course, by the state.
“From tractorisation, mechanisation to digital platforms that connect farmers directly with markets, innovation is redefining how food is grown, processed, and distributed.
“No longer will the farmer in our villages struggle endlessly with machete and hoe.”
In his remarks, Gov. Alex Otti expressed his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s agricultural sector and achieving food security.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, said the government had initiated several programmes including, large-scale rice farming, farmer support and agricultural asset utilisation, to ensure agricultural development in the state.
“So what we see is this intentionality from the state government to invest in the sector.
“And the primary aim of this investment is to make life better for all of us.
“So the message today is for everyone who is engaged in agriculture, to see yourself as a critical agent in this mission to transform the sector, to make it viable,” he said.
In a goodwill message, Mr Aloysius Mba, the State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said that the ministry was working tirelessly to implement policies and programmes that would increase food availability, accessibility and affordability.
He called for collaborations among the stakeholders to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector “and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food.”
Also, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, the State Coordinator, IFAD-Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), said that the United Nations had for the past 80 years celebrated the day to remind the global community of the need to intentionally improve food production across board.
Onyeizu said that the project which had made a lot of impact had been able to train and empower about 4,250 young persons across the state.
“And those people have ripple effects in terms of employment and food security,” he said.
World Food Day is a creation of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation that is celebrated annually on Oct. 16 and this year’s theme is “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”
The event featured keynote lectures, cultural performances, exhibitions, awards, and the distribution of farm inputs among others.(NAN)
