Diaspora Farmer Crowned ‘Eze Ji’ After Record Yam Harvest
Diaspora Investment Boosts Yam Production in Abia
A Nigerian entrepreneur based in the United States has been recognized for building the largest yam barn in Abia State, a milestone that underscores the potential of diaspora-driven agricultural development.
The expansive barn, located in Amaibo, Isuikwuato, accommodates about 12,000 yam tubers and 4,000 seedlings across a two-plot site. Its owner, Mazi Prej Iroegbu, said the project reflects decades of dedication to farming.
For more than 25 years, Iroegbu has worked between Nigeria and the United States in the food and hospitality industry. Despite his international exposure, he says farming remains central to his identity.
Rooted in Tradition
According to him, his father’s training at the Nunya Farm Settlement laid the foundation for the family’s agricultural success. Farming income financed their education and shaped his decision to continue the tradition.
While he grows cassava and other crops, yam cultivation remains his primary focus. He described yam as a cultural symbol representing sustenance and pride in Igbo land.
His barn was declared the largest in Abia State—possibly in the South-East—by the Isuikwuato Consultative Forum (ICF), which honoured him under the Isuikwuato Agriculture Revolution Program (ISAREP) with the title “Eze Ji.”
Community members say the recognition not only celebrates personal achievement but also highlights the importance of modernizing traditional farming practices in the region.
