Reclaiming the Uzo-Uwani Farm Settlements for Sustainable Food Security in Enugu State and Beyond

By 

Martins Chiedozie Ugwu

Johnmartinsworldonline@gmail.com 


The Uzo-Uwani farm settlements, for more than a century, have been the backbone of agricultural sustainability and economic stability in Enugu State, particularly for the people of Enugu North. These settlements, numbering in hundreds across a vast expanse of land that extends into Kogi State, have not only fed and sustained local communities but have also contributed significantly to the regional economy.

The Opanda Market, a century-old, once-bubbling hub for agricultural produce and processing, has been a vital component of this ecosystem, attracting traders from far and wide. The periodic market, which comes every two days, is home to tens of thousands of Igbos across the five states in the Southeast and beyond.

However, the current state of insecurity in Uzo-Uwani, precipitated by the presence of criminal herdsmen, has led to a mass exodus of farmers, resulting in the closure of the once-thriving Opanda Market. Currently, the famous Opanda Market is no more due to insecurity in Uzo-Uwani. The consequences are far-reaching: food production has plummeted, and the local economy, including my town Aku, has suffered significantly. Currently, I have to buy foodstuff from Enugu to send to my people in the village, which is the opposite of what is supposed to be. 

Aku people take pride in their academic giants and education of their people with highest number of educated people more than any community in the south East, was made possible by income and farm produce from these farm settlements in Uzo Uwani. The people of Enugu North and beyond, who have historically leveraged the rich arable land for their agricultural produce, are now forced to seek alternative livelihoods with no or little significance impact to our economy. 

The impact of this insecurity extends beyond the local community. The loss of agricultural productivity in Uzo-Uwani has contributed to increased food prices, making it more expensive to purchase foodstuffs in rural areas than here in Enugu. This trend undermines the state's efforts to reduce urban migration and promote sustainable economic development.

I appreciate the efforts of the state government, including that of the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Chairman, to revive the Uzo-Uwani Farm Settlements, but more needs to be done if we must make meaningful progress in ensuring food security and economic sustainability for our people.



To address this pressing issue, I propose the following solutions:

1. Enhanced Security Measures: The Enugu State government should collaborate with the Kogi State government, leveraging on the forest guard as established by the federal government to establish joint security patrols, ensuring the safety of farmers and their farmland.

2. Build Bridge Across The Eshi River: The construction of bridges across the famous Eshi River, which forms the boundary between Enugu and Kogi states, would facilitate the transportation of farm produce and enhance market access including emgency response team.

3. Establishment of Grazing Area: A tripartite meeting between the Enugu State government, Kogi State government, and Miyetti Allah could explore the creation of designated grazing areas, providing a peaceful resolution to the farmer-herder conflict.

4. Extension Services: The recruitment and mobilization of Agricultural extension farmers, equipped with motorcycles and other means of transportation like speedboats, would provide critical support to farmers, including emergency response services in times of danger.

5. Free Toll Line: Establishing a free toll line for farmers, managed by forest guards and agricultural extension farmers, would enable prompt reporting of security threats and emergencies.

6. Ministry of Agriculture Annex in Opanda: The establishment of a Ministry of Agriculture annex at Opanda, housing the office of forest guards and other relevant agencies, would provide practical support and emergency response services to farmers.


Implementing these solutions would not only restore confidence in the farming community but also make agriculture more attractive to young people, boosting food security and economic stability in Enugu State and beyond. By reclaiming the Uzo-Uwani farm settlement, we can revitalize the local economy, promote sustainable development for our dear state.


Martins Chiedozie Ugwu 

Johnmartinsworldonline@gmail.com

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