Mefor: Anambra Shopping for Partners to Boost Off-Grid Electricity Generation

Anambra State's Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Okwu Mefor, discussed the state government's initiatives to attract investors and partners for off-grid electricity generation to stimulate industrialization. He also touched upon the state's agricultural development plans under the administration of Governor Charles Soludo.

The government is focusing on agriculture as a priority sector, recovering rare economic trees and promoting specialized agriculture. For instance, they are distributing seedlings for palm, coconut, bitter cola, and other cash crops that were once prevalent in the state. By recovering these trees, the government aims to combat poverty, as once harvested, the economic trees will generate income for the farmers.

In an effort to encourage young people to engage in agriculture, the government has launched the "One Youth, Two Skills" program. This initiative trains youths in various farming areas and provides them with seed money to start their own farming businesses. Additionally, cooperative societies are being promoted to facilitate off-takers for agricultural produce, as lack of access to markets is a major hindrance to agricultural development.

The government is also working on formalizing cooperative operations in Anambra State, with a law currently in the making. To further enhance rural access, the administration is developing rural roads, particularly in areas called "Anambra food baskets" where farmers lack urban connections. This initiative aims to help farmers bring their produce to urban markets, increase income, and alleviate food shortage issues.

Anambra State's rice production remains a significant sector, with increased production and even new industrialists entering the market. However, the processing aspect of rice production is still weak, and the government is working towards improving it to support local consumption and export. Furthermore, the administration has implemented various policies to make the state more investor-friendly, including providing a secure environment, easy access to land, and cheap and constant electricity supply.

Small and medium scale enterprises can access funding through the Anambra State Small Business Agency, which offers up to 10 million Naira for viable business plans.