When Nigeria gained independence in 1960, agriculture was the economic mainstay of the economy. Nigeria was the biggest exporter of palm oil. Sadly, agriculture took the back seat following the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity.

Following on the quest to invest in agriculture, an Abia based company, Chihops, an agro based company is set to contribute its quota to the restoration of the nation’s lost glory in the agricultural sector.

The company has established a palm oil and palm kernel processing plant situated at Umuogogo, one of the villages that make up Umuimo clan in Osisioma Ngwa local government area of Abia state.

The Managing Director of Chihops Agro, a subsidiary of Chihops Global Limited, Mrs. Anthonia Ukanwoko explained why she embarked on the project:

“Two years ago, I learned that some people usually mix red ink to palm oil and that broke my heart. We started by buying large expance of land and we planted palm trees. We have this mill where we can process organic oil. When you consume our palm oil, you will discover that it’s not mixed with anything”

With the complete installation of the locally fabricated machines, the stage is set for the commencement of palm oil processing . According to Mrs. Ukanwoko, a farmer and mother of four, palm oil processing will start next week.

“We have finished the installation of the machines. We have steady power supply and by next week we will commence production”.

Chihops Agro will contribute its quota in the reduction of unemployment by employing about ten (10) workers. Apart from the permanent staff, it will also engage the services of ad-hoc staff.
She said “Agriculture is good and in Abia State our land is fertile. I’m concerned because in other parts of the country, you see people engaging in agriculture and producing beyond substitence. But in Abia State we’re not maximising it and that’s why I decided to invest in this area so that we can have more food and engage our women and youths”.

In this harsh economic environment, it has not been easy to embark on the project. Mrs. Ukanwoko is therefore, calling on the Abia State government to assist her in the venture. “I am an indigene of the state and from what we’re doing, we have improved the host community by providing light, potable water and graded the road. The Abia State government can come in and partner with us. There are so many ways they can partner with us by giving us grants, incentives and we can even help to train people because we specialised In agriculture”.

Our reporter who visited the site was shocked that a company that is yet to be fully operational has taken it’s first step towards ensuring it’s CSR ( Cooperate Social Responsibility), by grading the access road to the community, a development essential, that is hardly implemented in Nigeria, heralding an era of sincerity on the part of the company and preparing them for a possible partnership with Abia state Ministry of Agriculture in the training of Abia youths as a way of providing food sufficiency as well as curbing youth unemployment.

One of the challenges Chihops Agro will encounter is inadequate supply of palm fruits for processing. At present, some farmers in the state sell palm fruits to palm oil processing companies in Akwa Ibom state. But the company is prepared to tackle this challenge. It has planted Tenera palm trees in its five (5) hectare farm land and has entered into a partnership with Ukaibe Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Limited. The Co-operative society has presence in the seventeen (17) local government areas of the state.

“We’re partnering with Ukaibe Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, so that we can have these rural people in one group. We train them on how to go about farming and give them incentive as much as we can and get products (palm fruits) from them”.

Mr. Linus Chigozie Ukanwoko, a Chattered Accountant and Financial Consultant, is the husband of the proprietor of Chihops Agro. He spoke of the strong passion his wife has for farming and appealed to the Abia State government to assist entrepreneurs particularly those in the agricultural sector.

Chihops Agro will no doubt contribute in providing employment and in the development of its host community, Umuogogo, Umuimo in Osisioma Ngwa local government area. More importantly, it will be an ally to the Abia State government.