By Chinazaekpere Chinwendu,
Umuahia North, Abia State - June 23, 2025
In a passionate call for sustainable solutions to the rising food insecurity in Abia State, Hon. Barr. Anderson Kelechi Akaliro, Member representing Umuahia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has advocated for the revitalization of the Ulonna Farm Settlement as a major step toward achieving agricultural revival in the state.
Speaking in Umuahia on Monday, Akaliro described Ulonna Farm Settlement as a sleeping giant with the potential to transform Abia into a food-secure and agriculturally vibrant state.
“The Ulonna Farm Settlement has the land, the history, and the capacity to become the heartbeat of agricultural production in Abia,” Hon. Akaliro said. “What is lacking is the political will and coordinated investment to bring it back to life.”
He noted that with rising food prices, increased dependence on food imports, and worsening rural poverty, now is the time for the state to look inward and harness its agricultural assets to feed its people and grow the economy.
“Food insecurity is not just an economic issue; it is a threat to human dignity and survival. We cannot afford to watch our rural communities wither while fertile lands remain idle,” Akaliro stated.
The lawmaker called on the Abia State Government and relevant agencies to prioritize investment in mechanized farming, rural infrastructure, and agricultural training programs within the Ulonna axis, stressing that such initiatives would not only ensure food production but also create jobs for youth and women in rural areas.
“Reviving Ulonna is not just about agriculture, it’s about empowering communities, restoring dignity to farming, and building a self-reliant state,” he added. “I urge the government to make Ulonna a model for modern agriculture in Abia.”
Hon. Akaliro also appealed to private sector stakeholders, cooperatives, and donor agencies to partner with the government to unlock the full potential of Ulonna, saying that a collaborative approach was necessary to achieve long-term food sustainability.
“Let us treat food security as a collective responsibility. With political vision and the right partnerships, Ulonna Farm Settlement can become Abia’s green gold,” he said.
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