NDDC TO EMPOWER OVER FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED RICE AND CASSAVA FARMERS IN NIGER DELTA REGION
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC has started a scheme to empower over four thousand, five hundred rice and cassava farmers across Niger Delta region.
Managing Director NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, who made this known during the community onboarding exercise of the initiative at NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt Rivers State, expressed the determination of the commission to tackle hunger and food insecurity in Niger Delta Region and country at large.
Dr. Ogbuku said that the programme was designed to support farmers with extension services and equipment to increase food production, especially rice and cassava.
Represented by the Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, the Managing Director maintained that the initiative was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, saying It would create jobs and take many out of poverty.
The MD told the farmers that the commission would assist in connecting the farmers with buyers that would buy off the produce to guarantee profit.
Earlier, Director Agric and Fisheries NDDC, Mrs. Winifred Madume who identified Niger Delta region as having the potential to feed the nation explained that the onboarding was to empower farmers to go into commercial farming.
On his part, the consultant, Mr. Dimieari Kemedi who gave assurance that the farmers were ready and willing, expressed optimism that the programme would not only make food available but also cheap in the region and country at large.
The farmers would make land available while the partnership is to last for initial Five years.
One of the farmers, Dr Paul Mba from Bende, Abia state, appreciated NDDC for the scheme, insisting that the country has the capacity to feed her citizens if agriculture was taken serious.
He regretted that the country was leading in palm oil production before Malaysia came in.
