Beyond handout: Diaspora support a catalyst for Agricultural development in Bende North – OziomaChi
It is with considerable satisfaction that I reflect on my recent participation as guest of honour at an initiative orchestrated by Igbere’s diasporic community, wherein a carefully vetted group of young farmers received structured support to establish sustainable agricultural enterprises. As the lawmaker representing Bende North Constituency Abia State, this initiative embodies my persistent advocacy for agrarian revitalisation, evidenced by investment by some constituents in three operational mega-farms and a growing cohort of emerging agribusinesses.
The programme’s significance lies in its pedagogical approach – a deliberate shift from transient material aid to cultivating self-reliant expertise. By invoking the enduring adage of “teaching fishing techniques over distributing fish,” the model instils a tripartite philosophy: visionary goal-setting, strategic planning, and continuous knowledge acquisition, adoption and adaptation.
In addressing beneficiaries, I underscored the indispensable role of intellectual development. The cyclical process of learning, unlearning outdated practices, and relearning innovative methods was positioned as critical for transcending generational subsistence farming. Illustrative benchmarks were drawn from Malaysia’s precision agriculture, Singapore’s agrotechnology parks, Denmark’s cooperative systems, and China’s agricultural ascendancy – the latter having surpassed combined European and American agricultural revenues by 2023.
This initiative represents a pivotal counterpoint to Nigeria’s prevalent “stomach infrastructure” paradigm. Where conventional schemes prioritise temporary nutritional relief, our model fosters enduring value creation through cognitive empowerment. The diasporic community’s strategy demonstrates how targeted skill development can facilitate community-wide progress – from individual capability enhancement to regional economic transformation.
To constituents and policymakers alike, I propose this framework as a replicable template for national development. Its efficacy hinges on recognising that authentic empowerment emerges not merely from palliatives and resource allocation-fish-giving but from concentration on systematic human capacity building. As Bende North embarks on this developmental path, we reaffirm that agricultural renewal, rooted in knowledge empowerment, holds transformative potential for Abia State and the nation at large.
Oziomachi Media
We choose to be salt and light