A United States firm engaged in agricultural investments in African countries, Praxis Africa Inc., has expressed its willingness to boost mechanized agriculture and agro-processing in Enugu State through the provision of credit facilities to farmers. 

This was made known by the founder and president of the company, Dr. Delore Zimmerman, at a reception organized in his honour by the chairman of Ifeanyi Anthony Ebenezer Agro Ventures Limited (IAEGO), Igwe Ifeanyichukwu Ogbu, in Enugu art the weekend. 

Expressing satisfaction over his tour of Ojoroko rice cultivation site in Nara, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Dr. Zimmerman assured that his company would bring mechanization in the farming processes in the state and give farmers access to credit facilities, saying from his observations, Enugu is suitable for doing business. 

"We are going to replicate the American modern model of agricultural practices, driven by high sophisticated machinery that enables farmers to expand their scope and increase their production. This will first start with training of farmers, granting them access to mechanized farming equipments, and making funds available for them. We are going to start first with cassava and maize, after which we will expand our values chains. But the most important thing now is to get started first," Zimmerman said. 

He said that his company would usher in a smart farm and food security fund initiative to improve food independence and increase the income of the small-scale producers through increased production of quality food. 

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr. Patrick Ubru said the Peter Mbah administration in the state had created an enabling environment for foreign and local investors to explore and make use of the numerous potentials and comparative economic advantages the state could offer, maintaining that Enugu has become the premium destination for business and investment.

Ubru said that there was need to migrate from the old agricultural practices  to a new method of farming by introducing modern technologies, and increasing the income of small-scale producers to enable farmers compete favourably in the area of food production.
 
"Because of the disposition of the Peter Mbah’s administration to the ease of doing business, these investors have found Enugu State as their focal point of investment where they will come to invest massively and change our agricultural sector. 

“They are going to start from Nara in Nkanu East Local Government Area where more than 25,000 hectares of lands are already in wait for this purpose.  I, on behalf of the state, want to welcome the founder and president of Praxis Africa, Dr. Delore Zimmerman on his first visit to Nigeria and Enugu State in particular, and equally want to thank the Igwe of Nara, His Royal Highness, Ifeanyi Ogbu through whom we are playing host to Dr. Delore.

“We believe that at the end of the whole processes, the people of Enugu State will have something to remember about this administration because a lot of things will be introduced in our agricultural practices in the state", he stated.
 
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Nara Unateze community, who is also the chairman, IAEGP Agro Ventures Limited, Igwe Ifeanyichukwu Ogbu said they were eager about the investment from Praxis Africa given the interest of the state government in improving food production and expanding the economy, adding that with companies like Praxis Africa, there would be a paradigm shift from the manual to mechanized agriculture to enable farmers scale up food production. 

"We all know that the government of today has so much interest in agriculture and has been encouraging everyone to actively participate in it. So, during the trade fair of Praxis Africa in North Dakota, United States, we represented the state government and from there we worked hard to make sure that we bring them here to come and invest and teach us mechanized system of farming. This company has a representative in almost all the African countries and today, through my company, IAEGO, we are working to make sure that they establish presence in Enugu," Igwe Ogbu said.
 
Others that witnessed the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr. Victor Ngwu; President, Enugu Farmers Association and Founder, Organic Solutions Agro Cooperative, Hon. Giovanni Madubuaku, Deputy Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Ivo Theophillus; the Technical Officer, IAEGO, Ngene Afamefuna; Didigwu Emmanuel; among others.