The Abia State Government has commenced collaboration with CSS Farms, Nasarawa State, to establish an integrated and mechanised farm in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Cliff Agbaeze, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Umuahia by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Oluchi Franklin-Oji.

According to the statement, the partnership marks a significant step towards strengthening food security and accelerating agricultural industrialisation in Abia.

It noted that a delegation from CSS Farms, led by consultants Eric Alao and Victor Umunnakwe, visited the state to assess government farm estates and identify suitable locations for the proposed project.

The team inspected Ulonna North and Ulonna South Farm Estates in Umuahia North Local Government Area, as well as a new site at Umudike earmarked for the ministry’s relocation.

The delegation said the visit was to conduct a technical evaluation of facilities, infrastructure and available land resources to ensure a successful replication of the CSS integrated agricultural system.

Agbaeze conveyed the commitment of Governor Alex Otti to achieving food sustainability and repositioning agriculture as a key economic driver in the state.

He recalled the earlier collaboration between Abia and CSS Farms, which saw 298 farmers from the state trained in modern and integrated farming techniques.

The team is expected to continue inspections in Ohafia, Arochukwu and Bende local government areas in search of a landmass exceeding 500 hectares for the project.