Members of the Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR) convened at Eziala Nguru Town Hall, Aboh-Mbaise, Imo State, for their 2026 Global Summit themed Food Security & Cluster Farming: The Foundation for Health and Economic Stability in Rural Communities. The summit focused on repositioning agriculture in Mbaise and Imo State through collaboration, innovation, and value addition. The day started with a free wellness check and drug administration for the early birds and farmers as coordinated by High Chief Dr Frank Ogaziri ije.
The event proper opened with prayers by Rev. Fr. Divine Anyanwu, representing the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, while kolanuts were blessed by Dr. Jude Uzodimma Iheoma, MPR Chief Programme Director. The Chairman of the Summit, Prof. Joe Ahaneku, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, Abuja, expressed delight at the strong participation of farmers and stakeholders, describing it as a step toward making Mbaise an agricultural innovation hub. He also welcomed Sochi Foods as a strategic partner.
In his welcome address, MPR Chairman, Prof. Eddie Oparaoji, emphasized that farming is for everyone, not just the unemployed, and urged participants to embrace value addition and seize opportunities within the agricultural sector. He criticized the reluctance of agriculture graduates to practice in their field. Noble Lady Prof. Viola Adaku Onwuliri encouraged citizens, youths, and families to farm and participate actively in the agricultural value chain, stressing the importance of food self-sufficiency.
Dr. Ngozi Okechukwu, in her presentation “Let’s Farm Together,” highlighted the benefits of cluster farming, citing successful collaborations that have empowered over 225 young farmers across the three Mbaise LGAs. Thereafter, the MPR Farmers Club was inaugurated . This was followed by a presentation on the development of ekeohaonline.com, an MPR initiative unveiled by IT Director, High Chief Joachim Nwogu, designed to connect local farm produce to global markets.
The summit’s highlight was the presentation of a position paper by High Chief Blaise Kaduru, Vice President (Investments), JP Morgan, titled Food Security & Cluster Farming: The Foundation for Health and Economic Stability in Rural Communities. The paper emphasized the link between food insecurity, poor health, and socio-economic instability, noting that Mbaise’s growing population and limited land make cluster farming imperative.
Other contributors, including Prof. Paul Uche Mbakwe and Mr. Martin Nwoga of Sochi Foods, affirmed the viability of cluster farming. The final presentation with pictures and illustrations by Dr. Ijeoma Dozie underscored the importance of healthy nutrition and consumption of unprocessed farm produce for disease prevention.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Joe Ahaneku commended all the Speakers , noting Dr. Dozie’s practical and impactful presentation and reiterated that the summit reflects MPR’s commitment to preventing food insecurity and promoting sustainable rural development in Mbaise and beyond.
