The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said that its collaboration with the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) will boost food production in the Niger Delta.
Dr Winifred Madume, Director of Agriculture and Fisheries at NDDC, stated this during the inspection of Samwart Farms in Opobo Local Government Area of Rivers on Tuesday.
The LIFE-ND programme is a collaborative initiative of NDDC, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Federal Government and the participating states : The initiative aims to empower rural youth and women in agriculture, particularly in the poultry and aquaculture value chains.
Madume, who had inspected two other incubations centres in Akwa Ibom and Imo with a delegation from LIFE-ND, explained that the inspection was to ascertain the level of implementation and performance of the programme.
According to her, “we have come here on an oversight function to ensure that the objective of this programme is carried out as agreed with our stakeholders,
‘’The NDDC is committed to meeting its counterpart funding obligations and supporting rural economic transformation in line with national agricultural goals,” she said.
Madume said that current NDDC management was targeting food sufficiency and employment creation in the Niger Delta.
She noted that the inspection tour provided the commission an opportunity to engage with the incubatees and identify areas that needed further improvement under the LIFE-ND programme.
Also speaking, Mr Abi Morris, Special Assistant to the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, expressed satisfaction with the implementation status of the programme.
He commended the beneficiaries for their enthusiasm and commitment in undergoing incubation to address hunger in the region.
“This programme is a clear example of development in action and goes beyond training to unlocking livelihoods and reshaping mindsets.
“NDDC will continue to support initiatives that equip our youth with the tools to succeed,” he assured.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Atonye Ogolo, commended the NDDC for the initiative, stating that the programme had equipped him with the necessary knowledge and funding needed to start his own agro-business.
Mr Udofia Samuel, another beneficiary, expressed delight at his selection into the programme and assured that he would make judicious use of the opportunity to grow his agricultural business.
“This training has given me the avenue to learn about fish production, processing, and marketing,” he concluded.