Rivers LG promotes agriculture, provides incentives

Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

The Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area in Rivers, Mr Erastus Awortu, said his administration would continue to provide incentives and partnerships for the advancement of agriculture.

Awortu made this known at Ngo the Council’s headquarters during a sensitisation programme, organised by the Council in collaboration with the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

Represented by the Council’s Secretary, Mr Franklin Dimiari, the Chairman promised to create an enabling environment for farmers to benefit from available agriculture funding.

He urged the people to liaise with the council to enable them benefit from the various initiatives of the Federal Government, loans of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders’ support in the subsector.

The Chairman also noted that the move would not only create employment and expansion for subsistent farmers, but would also boost food production at the grassroots.

“The council will ensure that Andoni becomes directly involved in all aspects of food production, especially in aquaculture, and overall business in the fishing value chain.”

Earlier, the NIRSAL Team Leader ,Mr Sunday Patrick urged the farmers to take advantage of the various initiatives aimed at advancing grassroots participation in agriculture.

He noted that the first phase of its partnership covered sensitisation on existing Federal Government’s support programmes and facilities for rural farmers, orientation and access to those facilities.

Patrick commended the council for its cooperation, which attracted over 200 farmers’ participation in the first sensitisation in the area.

He noted that the participants who were also Community Development Representatives across various Communities of the area are expected to transfer to other farmers knowledge gained at the programme.

Responding, Director, Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Local Government Area, Mr Bright Okere, commended NIRSAL for the business initiative and pledged the Ministry’s readiness to support the growth of agriculture.

He said that there are currently different phases of Federal Government agricultural programmes which have been enjoying massive support from the Local Government Councils.

“Recently, FADAMA was on ground in Andoni, it has an ongoing project in Ataba Community, the next phase will take place in Asarama Community all in Andoni.

“The essence of the various phases of projects being handled by FADAMA is basically to cushion the effects of COVID-19 and this is being implemented in the distribution of agriculture inputs, incentives, grants and project execution.

“Some of the projects which include provision of sanitary conveniences, water and other basic needs, aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene at the local communities in collaboration with the council,” he said.

Okere also assured of the Council’s willingness to partner NIRSAL to promote agriculture.

“The Council Chairman has promised to empower small holder farmer as part of activities to mark the 2022 ‘World Food Day’ slated for Oct. 16,” he said.