The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced a new partnership aimed at empowering 4,500 rice and cassava farmers in the Niger Delta region. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance food security across the region and the entire country.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, revealed details of the initiative during an onboarding program held at the NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt. Represented by the Executive Director of Projects, Victor Antai, Dr. Ogbuku emphasized that this agricultural project aligns with President Bola Tinubu's commitment to empower the Niger Delta's populace and bolster national food security.
The program aims to provide smallholder farmers with essential resources such as data, financing, farm inputs, mechanization, and extension services. These supports are designed to sustainably boost rice and cassava production, thereby increasing farmers' income and contributing to the region's food sufficiency.
"This initiative is expected to yield 12,000 tonnes of paddy rice and 10,500 tonnes of cassava tubers during its pilot phase, assuming conservative yields of 4 tonnes per hectare for rice and 7 tonnes per hectare for cassava," stated Ogbuku. Additionally, the project plans to facilitate market access for farmers by offering off-taking services and helping them establish the credit histories necessary for future commercial financing.
Addressing challenges such as land preparation hindered by dense vegetation and storage issues, Ogbuku highlighted that the project's success could stimulate further investments in agricultural infrastructure in the region.
NDDC's Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs. Winifred Madume, also spoke at the event, underscoring the project's potential to significantly improve agricultural activities and economic conditions for the Niger Delta's residents.
