The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a collaboration with communities in the Niger Delta to support 4,500 rice and cassava farmers, aiming to bolster food security both regionally and nationally.
This initiative is a proactive measure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to empower the Niger Delta residents and enhance food security across Nigeria.
During the onboarding program for farmer empowerment at the NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt, NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku, represented by Executive Director (Projects) Victor Antai, announced the commission’s commitment to assisting farmers.
According to BusinessDay, the NDDC aims to promote good agronomic practices and expedite the use of scientific and technological advancements to boost productivity and sustainability.
He highlighted that this key agricultural initiative will provide smallholder rice and cassava farmers with data, financing, farm inputs, mechanization, and extension services to sustainably increase their production, thereby enhancing their income and contributing to food sufficiency in the Niger Delta region.
He said:
He further mentioned that the NDDC plans to leverage the success of this initiative to drive the necessary investments in agricultural infrastructure.
According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index report published on its official website, Nigeria is among the countries struggling with severe hunger issues.
In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projected that approximately 26.5 million Nigerians could experience a food crisis from June to August 2024.
Also speaking at the event, Winifred Madume, the NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, highlighted the project’s potential to boost agricultural activities and improve the economic well-being of the local population.
She noted that the Niger Delta region plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s agricultural output and global trade, especially in palm oil and cassava.
She said:
According to the recent inflation rate report by the National Bureau of Statistics for May 2024, Nigeria’s overall inflation rate reached 36.95%, while the rate of food inflation was 40.66%.
Commending the NDDC, Justina Uwa, an agric-economist, told TimesNow.com.ng that focusing on rice and cassava farming is remarkable, as it will foster agricultural self-sufficiency and economic growth.
He said:
In related news, TimesNow.com.ng reported how four Nigerian agricultural tech startups are empowering hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers.
In addition to empowering farmers, the startups have provided avenues for ordinary Nigerians to invest and make money from agriculture.
They have eliminated the fear of investing in the agricultural sector through technology and reduced the dependence on government intervention funds for farmers.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
