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Our Ebonyi Farm Road in a Mess: A Cry from the Heart of Southeast’s Food Basket

By: Chukwu Abia C | GrassrootsMirro

"You can't plant food in abundance and lack a road to carry it. That’s not farming, that’s frustration." – (Abia Chukwu)

The Hope and the Heartache

Ebonyi State has proudly branded itself as the “Food Basket of the Southeast.” With fertile soil, hardworking farmers, and a reputation for producing large quantities of rice, yam, cassava, maize, and vegetables, the state ought to be a shining agricultural star in Nigeria. But beneath this title lies a troubling reality – the very roads that connect farmlands to markets are in deplorable condition.

Across various rural communities, especially in farming belts like Izzi, Ikwo, Ezza, Akaeze, Afikpo, Okposi, Uburu, Ohaukwu, etc, a journey to the farm or market has become a nightmare. Roads are broken, muddy, flooded, and in some cases, completely impassable. This crisis affects not only the farmers but the entire value chain of agriculture and the state’s dream of economic transformation through agribusiness.

The Mess We See: Ebonyi Farm Roads in Disrepair

In a recent community survey conducted by grassroots volunteers in Ebonyi communities such as Amachi-Akaeze, Obeagu, Ikwo, Agba, and Nkaliki, one major issue came up repeatedly: the farm roads are in a mess.

Here are some recurring observations:

  • Massive gullies on roads that cut off access to rice paddies in Izzi, Akaeze and Ikwo.
  • Flooded paths in Ikwo LGA, leaving farmers stranded during rainy seasons.
  • Pothole-ridden access ways to cassava farms in Ivo LGA.
  • Collapsed bridges and culverts in Ezza that make vehicle passage impossible.
  • Overgrown bush paths with no regular maintenance, putting farmers at risk of attacks.

This is not just a seasonal inconvenience – it is an economic emergency. Farmers now resort to carrying produce on their heads, trekking for kilometers to reach the nearest point of sale or transportation. Others hire wheelbarrow pushers or okada riders, who charge triple the usual fare, slashing into farmers’ profits.

Ebonyi: The Food Basket Held Hostage by Bad Roads

Ebonyi is known for its agricultural prowess. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Ebonyi contributes over 30% of the rice consumed in the Southeast. The state also ranks high in yam, groundnut, and vegetable production.

But how can Ebonyi fulfill its food basket dream when the backbone – infrastructure – is broken?

How can farmers produce when:

  • Trucks cannot reach farms to collect harvests?
  • Perishable produce rots in the sun due to delayed transportation?
  • Buyers avoid rural communities due to inaccessible routes?

Many young farmers who tried to embrace agribusiness through cooperative farming are frustrated. They plow and plant, only to watch their harvest waste in the bush. Even worse, middlemen exploit the situation, offering ridiculously low prices because they know the farmers are desperate to sell anything, anyhow.

The Human Cost: Voices from the Rural Communities

“I produce over 80bags of rice (unprocessed) every season,” says Mr. Chukwu Emmanuel from Ndufu Ikwo. “But last year, I lost almost half because pick up trucks, okada's got stuck in the mud. I had to pay heavily to transport my produce. I didn’t make any profit.”

Mrs. Ada, a cassava farmer from Akaeze, echoed the same frustration: “Our roads are so bad that I stopped planting in large quantities. What is the use if I can’t sell it? Even okada men refuse to carry my produce. We need help.”

Many of these farmers have lived in these communities for decades. Their survival and the education of their children depend on the yield of their farms. Yet they are trapped in a cycle of suffering, not because of poor harvests, but because of poor access.

Why Farm Roads Matter to Development

It’s a common saying that “no road, no development.” In agriculture, that phrase is even more critical. Good farm roads mean:

  • Easier access to markets and increased profit.
  • Attracting investors and agro-processing companies.
  • Reducing food loss due to spoilage.
  • Lower cost of transportation.
  • Encouraging youth participation in agriculture.
  • Access to inputs like fertilizers and improved seeds.

Ebonyi’s ambition to industrialize agriculture, process locally, and export globally cannot be achieved without solid infrastructure – and farm roads must be at the center of that agenda.

Government’s Role: A Call for Urgent Intervention

While successive governments in Ebonyi have invested in urban road construction – especially in Abakaliki metropolis – rural communities are still neglected. The current administration under Governor Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has shown interest in empowerment programs, youth development, and agricultural reform. However, farm roads are the real empowerment Ebonyi farmers are begging for.

Programs like the National Agricultural Transformation Agenda, Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP), and State Agricultural Investment Projects must be revitalized and targeted toward fixing key roads in:

  • Ezza North and south to Izzi corridor
  • Ishiagu-Akaeze farm belt
  • Amasiri-Edda yam cluster
  • Ohaukwu maize-producing areas
  • Afikpo rice terraces

Let the government collaborate with local contractors, NGOs, and federal road agencies. Road grading, culvert installation, and drainage construction should begin in earnest.

Suggestions and Practical Solutions

To move forward, Ebonyi State must:

  • Prioritize farm road mapping: Identify key agricultural corridors needing urgent repairs.
  • Include road rehabilitation in empowerment plans: It's not enough to give fertilizers; build the road that carries the harvest.
  • Engage community labor: Through Community-Based Agricultural and Rural Development Programs (CBARDP), employ locals to maintain roads.
  • Use concrete technology for sustainability: For swampy terrains, concrete slabs work better than asphalt.
  • Explore donor agency support: Bodies like the World Bank, IFAD, and AfDB fund rural infrastructure projects.

The Bigger Picture: Beyond the Basket

Agriculture is not just about food – it’s about dignity, prosperity, and future. If Ebonyi is serious about becoming the hub of agribusiness in Nigeria, then rural infrastructure must be its foundation.

We cannot expect farmers to deliver on food security while they suffer daily on the road to their farms. We cannot build a competitive economy while the backbone – agriculture – is broken by erosion, potholes, and neglect.

Let the state government walk its talk. Let stakeholders, lawmakers, commissioners, and party chieftains visit these roads. Not during campaigns – but now. Let the people feel the presence of governance.

Time to Fix the Road, Time to Fix the Future

“Our Ebonyi Farm Road is in a mess” is not just a complaint; it is a desperate cry for attention, support, and action. The farmers of Ebonyi are not lazy. They work tirelessly under the sun and rain to produce food, feed the state, and grow the economy. The least the government can do is pave the way for their success.

If we fix these roads, we don’t just fix the present – we secure the future.

Call to Action:
Let’s raise our voices. Let’s document every bad farm road in our community and tag @EbonyiGovt on social media. Share this article. Let lawmakers from your constituency see it. Let traditional rulers speak up.

And if you're reading this and you know the pain of farming without access, reach out to Grassroots Mirror. Let’s tell your story. Let’s push for change.

Contact us:
📧 grassrootsmirro@gmail.com
📞 WhatsApp: 07063896216
📍Facebook | Twitter | Instagram: @GrassrootsMirro

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