By Ozioruva Aliu
BENIN CITY – THE International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has called on the federal and state governments in Nigeria to invest more in agriculture not just to ensure food security but also to harness the potentials of the youths.
The Country Director of IFAD, Mrs Dede Ekoue stated this yesterday in Benin City the Edo State capital at the 5th Supervision Mission of the Lifelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project which is jointly funded by the Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and IFAD.
The event attracted state project coordinators from the nine benefitting states where she said with request from the Nigerian government, the programme could be continued.
She commended the Edo State government for initiating the LIFE-ND Plus which would be funded by the state government in the eight local government areas that are not in the catchment area of the LIFE-ND.
The project is in 10 local government areas each in the benefiting states.
The Country Director stated that IFAD invested over $30m in the first phase of the LIFE-ND project with over 26,000 beneficiaries.
She said “Food sovereignty cannot be achieved without fully harnessing the potentials of the youth in agriculture. Youth has the largest population. So, LIFE-ND is aimed at empowering youth with practical skills using a model of business incubation. By the time they go through the incubation process, they come out as business owners. They are able to set up an agric business.
“Creating jobs for youths is the key to enabling growth; it is the key to peace; it is the key to development; it is the key to business growth.”
She said that also focused on women who she said were key to food production.”
On his part, National Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Dr. Abiodun Sanni expressed expressed commitment to actualising the transformative agenda of the project, which he said aligns with the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda disclosing that 4,380 beneficiaries are currently being enlisted in this ongoing phase.
Representative of the NDDC, Stella Manureh, said the LIFE-ND’s commitment to improving lives of the Niger Delta people through food security was appreciated and said the Commission was prepared to continue to partner
IFAD.
The Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Jerry Uwangue while receiving the team in office said Governor Monday Okpebholo was ready to approve and release funds needed to support the project and boost agriculture in the state.
The State Project Coordinator, John Omoruyi said the project is being implemented in 10 local government areas and 100 communities in the State.
He said “Four priority commodities; cassava, rice, poultry and fishery along with the respective value chain. It is important to note that in the first phase of the project, 4,373 smallholder women and youth Agripreneurs have benefited from the project in Edo state, among these beneficiaries are 41 Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
“The project in Edo State has facilitated 3,916 new jobs for women and youth which contributes to economic growth while 4,373 rural enterprises are assessing Business Development Services. 2,173 households provided targeted support to improve their nutrition. 23 production cluster facilities as well as 960 Ha farmland and 7 processing facilities clusters have been developed across the State.
“Furthermore, 630 beneficiaries have recently been profiled and enlisted into the Additional Financing (AF) phase that recently kicked off across the six IFAD funded States.”
He commended Governor Okpebholo for his support and commitment to the success and expansion of the LIFE-ND project in the state.
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