The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), has empowered 12 farmers with ₦300,000 each as part of efforts to promote modern agricultural practices, value addition and sustainable food production.
Speaking at the 2026 Farmers’ Summit and Empowerment Programme organised by the MOUAU Extension Centre, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to ensuring that its agricultural research and innovations directly benefit farmers and host communities.
The summit, themed “Placing Value Addition to Agricultural Produce,” focused on equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to improve productivity, increase profitability and embrace modern farming techniques.
Prof. Akanwa urged farmers to move beyond traditional farming methods by adopting smart agriculture, improved technologies and value addition to agricultural produce. She also disclosed plans to retrain Extension Centre personnel and programme beneficiaries to strengthen agricultural extension services and improve farm productivity.
The Vice-Chancellor further stated that beneficiaries of the empowerment programme would be monitored to evaluate their progress and provide the necessary support to ensure the sustainability of their businesses. She encouraged young people to embrace agriculture as a viable and profitable career.
Earlier, the Director of the MOUAU Extension Centre, Prof. Uchechi Apu, said the centre remains committed to improving farmers’ livelihoods through training, technology transfer and practical interventions that boost productivity and reduce poverty in rural communities.
He explained that following the success of last year’s programme, where six farmers received ₦250,000 each, the university expanded this year’s intervention to 12 beneficiaries drawn from the Umuahia, Aba and Ohafia Agricultural Zones after participating in the 2026 Farmers’ Summit and other capacity-building programmes.
Prof. Apu added that the university had earlier distributed improved planting materials and other farm inputs to farmers at the beginning of the farming season to support increased agricultural production.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of ₦300,000 grants to each of the 12 beneficiaries to strengthen enterprises in cassava production, poultry, fish farming, vegetable cultivation, agribusiness, oil processing and food processing.
The initiative reflects MOUAU’s continued commitment to advancing modern agriculture, promoting value addition and improving the livelihoods of farmers across its host communities.
