The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has provided financial assistance to 300 rice farmers in the Niger Delta region. Each farmer receiving starter packs valued at N200,000 to boost rice production. This was disclosed by the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, in a statement issued on Saturday in Port Harcourt.
The statement was released by Mrs. Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs. The starter packs were presented to the recipients during the closing ceremony of the second batch of the NDDC-sponsored training program for rice farmers.
According to Dr. Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC‘s Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Winifred Madume, the commission is committed to transforming the agricultural sector in the region. The training program was aimed at equiping farmers with essential skills in modern rice farming techniques, processing, and agribusiness strategies.
He said “The scheme is designed to enable farmers to enhance rice production, establish cooperatives, and explore further partnerships with relevant agencies and financial institutions,”
Dr. Ogbuku also highlighted the NDDC’s current partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to sponsor on-the-job vocational training for farmers in the Niger Delta region. “We remain committed to implementing impactful agricultural empowerment initiatives to enhance food security, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the region,” he added.
Mr. Wale Oretan, the Deputy Director of Agriculture and Fisheries in NDDC also revealed that 300 farmers from Abia and other states in the region took part in the training. He stated that the training included both theoretical and practical aspects of rice production, processing, alongside entrepreneurship.
“Each participant received a starter pack worth N200,000 along with a certificate of completion,” Oretan stated. He urged the beneficiaries to utilize the knowledge gotten from the training session to enhance their businesses and increase rice production across the nine Niger Delta states.
Following this, Mrs. Uzoma Ochulo the President of the Abia Rice Farmers Association, , expressed her appreciation to NDDC on behalf of the beneficiaries. Ochulo disclosed that the beneficiaries would share their experience with other farmers in their communities to increase rice production in the Niger Delta region.
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