.. Releases N1b AUDA- NEPAD Counterpart Fund
By Onomiguren Agbamu
In ensuring that Delta State is self-sufficient in food production, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori again has supported 6,020 farmers to boost agricultural production and food security in the state.
The Governor also announced the release of N1 billion counterpart funding for the Africa Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD), to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock, and aquaculture during the flag-off of the disbursement of agricultural inputs to beneficiaries under the Result Area 2 – FADAMA (Food Security) of the Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, D-CARES, at the Events Centre, Asaba.
Oborewori revealed that state government took this steps to boost agricultural production and ensure sustainable food security in the state and the country at large.
The Governor urged the beneficiaries to utilize the inputs efficiently, improve their productivity and harvest and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector in the state.
According to the Governor, “today’s disbursement is part of that broader initiative, with particular focus on providing over 6,000 of our hardworking farmers with the essential inputs needed to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security across the state.
He added; “to meet the Sustainable Agricultural Sector Reforms component of Realistic Reforms of the M.O.R.E Agenda, we are committed to ensuring that the goals of this programme are achieved”
He noted that “Agriculture remains a key pillar of development strategy, and, through this disbursement, we aim to enhance food production, increase household incomes, and ultimately improve the livelihood of thousands of Deltans.”
He noted “that, the collaboration with the Africa Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD) to further strengthen M.O.R.E smallholder farmers in Delta State, N1Billion has been approved as counterpart fund to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock, and aquaculture.”
While commending the Delta CARES team and all stakeholders for their dedication in making the programme a success, Governor Oborevwori said: “Together, we are building a more resilient Delta, one that is prepared to overcome challenges and seize opportunities”.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman State CARES Steering Committee, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, said 6,020 farmers were being empowered under the Result Area 2, which is the food security component of the Delta Cares Programme.
Ekedayen disclosed that agricultural sector remained an important pillar of the state’s economy; hence the state government was empowering 6,020 farmers to increase productivity in food production under poultry; fish farming, cassava cultivation, maize crop, pepper production and vegetable farming.
He urged Deltans to embrace urban farming in wherever space they could find to enhance productivity and, thus, combat the huge rise in food prices.
Some beneficiaries appreciated the Governor for coming to their aid.
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