Abia Partners with ARMTI to Transform Subsistence Farming into Agribusiness

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture from a subsistence venture into a thriving business enterprise. This, he said, will be achieved through a new partnership with the Agriculture and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI).

Governor Otti made the declaration on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, while receiving a delegation from ARMTI led by its Executive Director, Dr. Olufemi Oladunni, at the Government House, Umuahia.

According to the Governor, about 70% of Abians are engaged in one form of agricultural activity or another, but only a small percentage operate on a commercial scale. He noted that the state government is focused on upgrading both subsistence and commercial farmers into agribusiness entrepreneurs, emphasizing that agriculture must be treated as a serious business sector.

“About 23–24% of our GDP comes from agriculture, so you cannot ignore it. With the right training and adoption of climate-smart practices, the sector’s contribution to GDP can increase significantly, reduce unemployment, and generate more revenue for the government,” the Governor said.

Dr. Otti also highlighted the state’s previous investment in youth empowerment through agriculture. He revealed that over 300 young Abians were trained last year at the CSS Farms in Nasarawa State, with 298 of them now active in farming. He expressed readiness to deepen such collaborations through the new ARMTI partnership.

While commending ARMTI for choosing Abia as the Southeast regional headquarters for its operations, Governor Otti assured them of full government support.

“You couldn’t have made a better decision. We have the right people and environment to support your mission,” he stated.

The Governor further directed the Director General of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) to ensure ARMTI’s team is well accommodated and supported with necessary facilities and personnel.

In his remarks, ARMTI’s Executive Director, Dr. Olufemi Oladunni, expressed the institute’s readiness to collaborate with the Abia State Government to empower more youths and rural communities. He described ARMTI’s mandate as focused on agricultural training, capacity building, and community-based initiatives, such as the Village Alive Development Initiative (VADI).

Dr. Oladunni also indicated interest in working closely with GODA to design a joint agricultural development proposal for Abia.

He praised Governor Otti for his visionary leadership and commitment to rural development.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, the DG of GODA, and other top government officials.