- Bishop Obodo Urges Graduates to Tackle Food Crisis
The heart of Nigeria’s agricultural future was celebrated on Friday 27th October 2023 as the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2023 took place at the Mary Agro Farm Institute. The ceremony, which followed a solemn mass, was graced by the presence of His Lordship, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Enugu Diocese, who delivered an inspiring homily.
In his Homily, His Lordship Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, delivered a powerful message to the graduands. He emphasized the need for these young agriculturists to remain productive and committed to addressing the pressing food crisis that has been plaguing Nigeria. He called on them to be the driving force in finding solutions to the challenges facing the agricultural sector and to remain steadfast in their pursuit of these goals.
One of the key highlights of the event was the unveiling of newly purchased mechanized farming equipment. These state-of-the-art machines promise to revolutionize farming practices in the region, making the production process more efficient and sustainable. The acquisition of these advanced tools demonstrates the institute’s commitment to staying at the forefront of agricultural innovation.
Additionally, the graduation ceremony featured the presentation of grants to successful candidates. These grants are a testament to the institute’s dedication to supporting young talents in the field of agriculture. It is an investment in the future of the industry, as these individuals are now better equipped to lead the way in addressing the food crisis and advancing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
It will be recalled that The Mary Agro Farm Project Launched in 2021 and commenced in full-fledge with its pilot scheme, adopted modern technology in its productivity drive is solely aimed at providing food, education and employment for at least ten thousand (10,000) people at the long run.
According to Bishop Obodo at the commencement of the pilot scheme back in 2021, the farm will usher in the larger farm project, which will occupy an estimated 500 hectares of land and will be able to cultivate, harvest, and process agricultural products of all kinds.
This, according to His Lordship, is part of the vision of the church to contribute effectively to increasing food security, availability, as well provide employment for the teeming population. From inception, the Mary Agro farm in Udi which is currently at its pilot stage has a flourishing farm comprising of cultivated vegetable crops of all kinds, maze, poultry, piggery farm, fishpond and many more. With 24 hours water supply and a technologically developed recycling system, the farm can boast of all year round uninterrupted production and a sustainable food chain management.
The ceremony was attended by the Bishop of Bomadi, Most Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo, proud families, distinguished guests, and Priests as well as the religious, who all celebrated the accomplishments of the Mary Agro Farm Institute’s graduating class of 2023. It was a momentous occasion that not only recognized the hard work and dedication of the graduates but also reinforced the vital role they will play in the future of Nigerian agriculture.
There was a display of the many farm products exclusively produced from the farm amongst many others.
As the Class of 2023 embarks on their journey to transform the agricultural landscape of Nigeria, they carry with them the wisdom and guidance of the Diocese, the promise of cutting-edge technology with the new mechanized farming equipment, and the financial support of the grants they received. These graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in addressing the food crisis and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in Nigerian agriculture.
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