By Vincent Ujumadu

The Nnewi Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has launched a large-scale agricultural project to ensure food availability and boost the diocese’s finances.

According to Bishop Rt Rev Ndubuisi Obi, the diocese has acquired extensive land in various parts of the South East for agricultural activities. Farms have been established in Okija, Ozubulu, Anaku, Igbariam, and arrangements are underway to acquire more land in Akpugoeze, Enugu State, and Ufuma by the end of the year.

The bishop reported that significant quantities of crops such as cucumber, watermelon, pineapple, green pepper, cassava, and yam have been harvested in Okija. In Ozubulu, the diocese operates 40 large fish ponds, a piggery section, a poultry, and a snail section.

The diocese employs an irrigation system to ensure constant water supply, allowing for continuous harvesting of vegetables. Palm oil mills have been established in both Okija and Ozubulu, producing DONAC Palm Oil. Additionally, garri processing machines have been set up in both locations, producing DONAC Garri.

A full rice mill has been established in Anaku, producing DONAC Parboiled Rice, which dominates the market due to its competitive pricing. The diocese has also planted 50 hectares of rice in Igbariam, which will be processed and packaged at the Anaku rice mill.

In Akpugoeze, the diocese has purchased 5,000 plots of land for farming and agricultural purposes, offering partnership opportunities to interested individuals.

Bishop Obi also mentioned the diocese’s establishment of an Artificial Intelligence/Robotics/Coding Hub inside Bishop Uzodike Memorial Seminary, Nnewi, in partnership with the World Bank to train 1,000 youths in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.