ENUGU, NIGERIA — Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, former Member of the House of Representatives and now the Executive Director (Projects), South East Development Commission (SEDC), has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to grassroots development initiatives that promote youth employment and stimulate local economic growth.
During his official visit to one of the Enugu Anchor Greenhouse Cluster (EAGC) project sites on the occasion of the Batch 2 Train-the-Trainer Bootcamp Graduation, he donated ₦1 million as a gesture of support and encouragement to the parent cooperative, the Enugu State Energizing Women and Youths in Agri-Food Systems Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society. This body currently serves as the umbrella organization for more than 15 women- and youth-led farmers’ cooperatives, collectively representing hundreds of women and youth farmers across Enugu State, in support of its ongoing developmental programmes.
“The future of agriculture in the South-East lies in integrated, climate-smart systems that empower women and young people while creating sustainable livelihoods. Initiatives such as the Enugu Anchor Greenhouse Cluster demonstrate how strategic partnerships among government, the private sector, development partners, academic institutions, and local communities can strengthen food systems, create jobs, improve rural incomes, and drive inclusive economic growth.”
Rt. Hon. Okechukwu also expressed his readiness to collaborate with the State’s women- and youth-led cooperatives and enterprises, working in partnership with the Enugu State Government, to scale the impact of this integrated climate-smart agriculture initiative across the entire South-East region.
The State Program Coordinator of the Enugu Anchor Greenhouse Cluster Initiative, Engr. Charles Aliozo, took him on an extensive tour of the project facilities, detailing the prevailing challenges confronting agrarian communities across Africa and highlighting how Enugu State is adopting a holistic agricultural value chain and supply chain systems approach to addressing them.
Engr. Aliozo explained that the integrated EAGC model combines climate-smart greenhouse production, renewable energy, solar irrigation, cold-chain infrastructure, market linkages, agro-processing, digital supply chain management, and cooperative enterprise development to promote sustainable production and consumption while positioning agriculture to make a greater contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Enugu State and the Nigerian economy.
💡 Key Takeaways from the SEDC Visit
1. Financial Boost: ₦1M immediate support to umbrella cooperative body representing 15+ farmer groups.
2. Regional Scaling: SEDC commitment to replicate Enugu's PUE and greenhouse model across the 5 South-Eastern states.
3. Strategic Alignment: Shared vision with H.E. Governor Peter Mbah's administration on human capital and GDP expansion.
Rt. Hon. Okechukwu observed that the initiative aligns perfectly with a shared vision of advancing sustainable agriculture, promoting agri-tourism, strengthening regional food security, and creating inclusive economic opportunities.
He further commended the developmental vision of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, emphasizing the importance of sustaining transformative programmes through strategic investments in human capital development. He expressed particular interest in initiatives capable of creating sustainable rural employment and expanding economic opportunities for women, young people, and persons with disabilities.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, we express deep appreciation to Rt. Hon. Okechukwu for his visit, generous support, and commitment to improving the livelihoods of women- and youth-led farmers’ cooperatives across Enugu State. The State Government remains fully committed to fostering strategic partnerships that accelerate agricultural transformation.”
Speaking on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Dr. Patrick Ubru, expressed appreciation to Rt. Hon. Okechukwu for his visit, generous support, and commitment to improving the livelihoods of women- and youth-led farmers’ cooperatives across Enugu State. He reiterated the State Government’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that accelerate agricultural transformation and inclusive economic development.
Gradual Greenhouse Ownership for Beneficiaries
A core pillar of the Enugu Anchor Greenhouse Cluster (EAGC) initiative is its emphasis on long-term economic sustainability through the gradual ownership of greenhouses by beneficiaries. Rather than operating as traditional aid or short-term grants, the program empowers participating women, youth, and persons with disabilities to become full owners of their greenhouse infrastructure over time.
Under this lease-to-own cooperative model, beneficiaries do not require prohibitive upfront capital to acquire state-of-the-art agricultural technology. Instead, the capital investment is gradually paid down using a flexible percentage deducted from their recurring high-value crop harvest sales, managed through the parent cooperative—the Enugu State Energizing Women and Youths in Agri-Food Systems Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society. As harvests are processed, packaged, and sold to off-take markets, a portion of revenue incrementally builds each beneficiary's equity until 100% asset ownership is achieved.
The Enugu Anchor Greenhouse Cluster Initiative remains one of the flagship programmes supporting the Enugu State Government’s agricultural transformation agenda. By integrating renewable energy, climate-smart greenhouse production, irrigation, reliable water infrastructure, cold-chain systems, agro-processing, digital supply chain management, market linkages, and cooperative enterprise development, the initiative provides a scalable model for sustainable rural development, food security, youth and women empowerment, and inclusive economic growth. As implementation continues across the State, the initiative is expected to contribute significantly to increased agricultural productivity, reduced post-harvest losses, improved rural livelihoods, and the realization of Enugu State’s vision of becoming a leading hub for climate-smart agriculture in Nigeria and the wider African region.