APPEALS PROJECT IMPACTS ON ENUGU FARMERS

The Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project in Enugu State has reached a significant milestone by successfully completing and equipping 15 aggregation and cottage processing centers across the state. These facilities are poised to revolutionize the agricultural landscape in Enugu, ushering in a new era of enhanced productivity and prosperity for farmers.

The primary objective of the APPEALS Project in Enugu State is to boost agricultural productivity and value addition, focusing on priority value chains such as Rice, Cashew, and Poultry. The project addresses the long-standing challenges faced by farmers in the state, notably post-harvest losses resulting from inadequate storage and processing facilities.

In response to these challenges, the APPEALS Project has established common-user facilities in 15 strategically chosen locations throughout the state. These centers are tailored to support farmers engaged in the cashew, poultry, and rice value chains, enabling them to store and process their produce to meet international standards.

The project's comprehensive interventions are designed to not only enhance productivity and value addition but also create new opportunities in local and international markets for Enugu farmers. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the state's agricultural policies and is expected to make a substantial contribution to the economic growth of Enugu.

Each of the 15 Aggregation and Processing Centers is strategically located to serve specific value chain belts within the state. These centers have been equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and tools to facilitate the processing and aggregation of cashew, rice, and poultry, ensuring that the quality and market value of agricultural products are maintained at the highest standards.

In parallel, the APPEALS Project has addressed a critical issue hampering agricultural progress in Enugu – the lack of reliable energy access. The project has installed electricity at 10 locations, connecting farm clusters and common-user facilities to the national grid with a 500kVA/0.415 power facility. This energy intervention provides the essential infrastructure and electricity required to drive these crucial agricultural areas forward.

The 15 Aggregation and Processing Centers have been thoughtfully distributed across 11 locations, ensuring coverage of the three senatorial zones in Enugu State. The strategically positioned energy intervention sites guarantee efficient access to power for all stakeholders involved in the agricultural value chain.

Mrs. Ihuoma Eze, the Acting State Project Coordinator of Enugu APPEALS, expressed her delight at the project's significant achievements in enhancing agricultural productivity in the state. Since its commencement in 2019, the project has empowered 1,700 women and youth, equipping them to initiate agri-businesses across various value chains. This empowerment comes in the form of comprehensive support, including training, technology demonstrations, grants, and the establishment of aggregation and processing centers. Additionally, the project has played a pivotal role in connecting farm clusters to the national electricity grid, enhancing their operations.

Among the pressing issues tackled by the Enugu APPEALS Project is the problem of postharvest losses. The aggregation and processing centers are instrumental in resolving this challenge by ensuring that the quality and market value of agricultural products are preserved. These centers, located in Nara, Adani, and Oduma, serve as one-stop shops for high-quality processed products, such as local rice.

Mrs. Ihuoma Eze praised the support received from both the state government and the World Bank. The APPEALS Project has exceeded expectations and notably improved the livelihoods of farmers in the state. The state government has been proactive in addressing project requirements and has gone beyond the usual scope to ensure the project's success.

A major highlight of the Enugu APPEALS Project is the Women and Youth Empowerment Programme, which received over 30,000 applications. Out of these, 1,700 beneficiaries were shortlisted and provided with intensive training, business registration, and funding through corporate bank accounts. This initiative is designed to transform previously unemployed individuals into business owners, with a particular focus on various value chains.

Mrs. Ihuoma Eze commended Governor Peter Mbah's administration for its unwavering support, visionary leadership, and commitment to agriculture. The alignment of the current administration's focus areas, including agroprocessing zones, packaging and exportation of agricultural products, increased productivity of farmers, agro-industrialization, and food security, with the objectives of the APPEALS Project is a testament to its success. The 15 aggregation and processing centers established in 11 locations across the state are set to enhance processing, standardization, and export potential, aligning perfectly with the agricultural policy of Governor Peter Mbah's administration.

Mrs. Ihuoma Eze went on to highlight the exceptional support provided by the state government in fast-tracking project implementation. The government has been proactive in addressing the project's requirements, including taking up aspects that faced challenges due to time and funding constraints, such as farm access roads. The commitment to complete infrastructure projects, even in the unlikely event they are not finished before project closure, is a testament to the government's dedication.

Expressing her aspirations for the APPEALS Project, Mrs. Ihuoma Eze wished for it to be remembered for its contributions to women and youth empowerment, infrastructural development, and agricultural sector intervention. She anticipated that the aggregation and processing centers would operate sustainably, achieve their objectives, and have a positive impact on food security and job creation in the state.

Dr. Ambrose Igboke, the Editor/Communication Officer of the Enugu APPEALS Project, reflected on the project's journey since its inception in Enugu State on May 1, 2019. He acknowledged the initial challenges faced by the State Coordinating Office, which joined the project last nationwide. Despite these early obstacles, the team persevered, overcame them, and successfully implemented the project. Over the course of four years, they achieved an impressive 100% total implementation of 1,700 beneficiaries in the Women and Youth Empowerment Programme (WYEP) and provided support to farmers in the Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs) and SMEs categories.

Dr. Ambrose Igboke praised the dedication of the State Coordinating Office's Management and Staff, led by Mrs. Ihuoma Eze, and highlighted the unwavering support of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. The project achieved remarkable results, being recognized as the best in the country for fund utilization (93.3%) and for activity performance (100%). Notable achievements included the construction and equipping of 15 aggregation and cottage processing centers in rice, cashew, and poultry farm clusters, as well as the provision and installation of energy in 10 locations to power these farm clusters.

The success stories of the project, as shared by the beneficiaries, were captured in the Enugu APPEALS Newsletter. Dr. Ambrose Igboke emphasized that the impacts of APPEALS would continue to benefit farmers and contribute to the economic advancement of Enugu State in the years to come, highlighting the enduring positive legacy of the project.

A griculture plays a pivotal role in Enugu State's economic growth and prosperity objectives, and the APPEALS Project has made a substantial contribution to the state's agricultural sector. With the successful completion of the 15 aggregation and processing centers and the energy access initiatives, Enugu State is well-positioned to thrive in the agricultural sector.