The Niger Delta Development Commission has launched a cooperation with Niger Delta communities to empower 4,500 rice and cassava producers, ensuring regional and national food security.
Dr Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC Managing Director, made the announcement during a farmer empowerment onboarding ceremony at the NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Ogbuku stated that the program was part of President Bola Tinubu’s proactive endeavour to empower the people of the Niger Delta and enhance food security in Nigeria.
Ogbuku, who was represented by Victor Antai, Executive Director, Projects, stated that the flagship agricultural initiative would provide smallholder rice and cassava farmers with data, financing, farm inputs, mechanization, Providing extension services to assist them in producing rice and cassava in a sustainable manner, boosting their income and assisting in the Niger Delta region’s food security.
What they’re saying
“It is conservatively estimated that in the pilot phase of this program, 12,000 tons of paddy rice and 10,500 tonnes of cassava tubers will be produced,” he said.. This assumes a conservative output of 4 tonnes per hectare for rice and 7 tonnes per hectare for cassava.
“In addition to supplying farmers with production variables, this project will connect farmers to the market by facilitating off-taking and assisting them in developing the performance and credit record required to benefit from commercial finance in the future.
“We are aware that poor land preparation brought on by thick vegetation and storage is a barrier to a number of agricultural projects in the area.. We will leverage this initiative’s success to catalyze the necessary investment in agricultural infrastructure.”
Mrs. Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, previously stated that the project has the potential to improve agricultural activities and people’s economic well-being.
Why this matters
The NDDC acknowledges the challenges posed by dense vegetation and inadequate storage facilities, which have historically limited agricultural initiatives in the region. By leveraging the success of this program, the NDDC aims to attract necessary investments in agricultural infrastructure, thereby addressing these barriers and improving overall productivity.
Bottom Line
The NDDC’s initiative to support rice and cassava farmers is a promising development that could lead to significant improvements in agricultural productivity and economic well-being in the Niger Delta. By providing farmers with the tools and resources they need, and addressing systemic challenges, the program has the potential to transform the agricultural landscape of the region and contribute to Nigeria’s food security goals.
