Former Rivers State Governor and presidential hopeful on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has commended a large scale farm estate in Nasarawa State, describing it as a practical model for job creation and poverty reduction.
Amaechi spoke during a private visit alongside his wife to the NFGCS farm estate in Mararaba Ga’ate, where he highlighted the economic potential of agriculture if properly supported.
Describing the project as “marvelous,” he said farms of such scale could provide sustainable employment and reduce dependence on scarce white collar jobs.
“You don’t have to go looking for office jobs if agriculture can pay,” he said, noting that each hectare of farmland could generate significant annual income if efficiently managed.
He urged government officials to prioritise agriculture and create an enabling environment for investment, arguing that corruption and the pursuit of quick wealth have discouraged many Nigerians from engaging in farming.
“The moment government curbs corruption, people will begin to invest in agriculture. Right now, people prefer easy money,” he said.
Amaechi also praised the farm’s management structure, noting its integration with host communities and the absence of farmer herder conflicts over the past decade.
He highlighted its ranching model where herders bring livestock while the farm provides land, water and infrastructure as an example of innovation that benefits both parties.
According to him, such collaboration shows that Nigeria’s security and agricultural challenges can be addressed through practical, community driven solutions.
The former minister criticised government priorities, accusing leaders of failing to address widespread poverty despite Nigeria’s large population, which he put at about 270 million. He referenced China’s poverty reduction efforts, noting that millions had been lifted out of poverty through deliberate policies, and said Nigeria must show similar commitment.
Amaechi also questioned reports of large scale financial leakages, citing figures attributed to the World Bank, and expressed concern over public apathy toward corruption.
On agriculture policy, he said the focus should be on mass production and food availability rather than debates over local or imported inputs.
He referenced initiatives under former President Muhammadu Buhari, including the “eat what you grow” campaign, stressing that the goal should be food sufficiency.
Looking ahead, Amaechi called for responsible leadership that prioritises agriculture, job creation and poverty reduction. He suggested that targeted government support such as grants tied to employment generation could significantly expand farm operations and create thousands of jobs.
“If government supports farms like this with clear targets for employment, you will see rapid expansion and more Nigerians productively engaged,” he said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of NFGCS Farms, Retson Tedheke, said the project aims to develop farm community estates across Nigeria to boost food production, create jobs and reduce insecurity.
According to him, “economic democracy” not just political democracy is key to national stability, as it empowers citizens to be productive.
He argued that crime is largely driven by economic hardship, noting that unmet basic needs can push individuals toward criminal activity.
Tedheke criticised government policies, saying the agricultural sector Nigeria’s most viable industry has been neglected. He also faulted global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, arguing their reform focused advice has not sufficiently supported industrialisation in developing countries.
He cited countries like China and Iran as examples of economies built on production and local content, stressing that Nigeria must adopt similar strategies to grow.
The farm manager also referenced policies under Muhammadu Buhari, including the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, as helping to reduce insecurity by supporting farmers, despite implementation challenges.
On current economic conditions, he linked rising food prices and hardship to policy decisions such as fuel subsidy removal, arguing that reforms affecting production should be matched with support for productivity.
Tedheke warned that continued reliance on imports undermines local industries and exports jobs, adding that strengthening domestic agriculture could reduce recruitment into insurgent groups such as Boko Haram.
Highlighting the scale of the initiative, he said the farm spans about 1,000 hectares and has operated for nearly a decade without farmer herder conflicts. The project includes housing, healthcare and schools for workers, employing over 500 people.