NDDC Promises To Empower Young Farmers For Food Security, Job Creation

As part of its plan to advance food security and promote youth employment, the Niger Delta Development Commission, or NDDC, has pledged to assist small-scale farmers in expanding their operations and becoming training centres for youth.

During an inspection visit to some farms in Akwa Ibom State, NDDC Executive Director of Projects Sir Victor Antai emphasised the Commission’s commitment to capitalising on the Niger Delta region’s agricultural potential and promoting the transition from traditional to mechanised farming methods.

The Executive Director, who was accompanied by the NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs. Winifred Madume, and the Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Dr. Godwin Nosiri, expressed delight at the enthusiasm of young farmers for increasing food production.

According to a statement signed by Pius Ughakpoteni, NDDC’s Director Corporate Affairs, on Saturday, Antai stated that the Commission would purchase modern farming equipment, such as tractors, to support its agricultural initiatives, particularly the Holistic Opportunities, Projects, and Engagement, or HOPE project.

Antai stated, “The Project HOPE initiative seeks to engage youths in the region by creating employment opportunities for them, particularly in agriculture.

“To fulfil President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the NDDC launched the youth empowerment programme, which includes agriculture as a key component.”

He recalled that the NDDC was collaborating with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, or RIFAN, to ensure food security in the Niger Delta region.

“As directed by our Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, we have incorporated regular project inspections into our routine activities to ensure effective delivery of the NDDC mandate.

The Executive Director observed that the Niger Delta region was blessed with the right ingredients for growing various crops and vegetables, stating, “The Niger Delta region, because of the arable wetlands, rainfalls, and other favourable ecological factors, is in a better position to plant various crops and vegetables at least four times within a farming season.

“We are trying to transition away from the oil economy, and the agricultural sector can accommodate a large number of our youths. We also want to transition from subsistence agriculture to mechanised farming in order to capitalise on all of the opportunities available in the Niger Delta region.

Ambassador Blessing Fubara, Project HOPE’s resource person, stated that the second phase of the youth empowerment programme will focus on commercial agriculture, information and communication technology, and assisting youths in the creative industry.

Fubara added that the project’s first strategy was to create jobs for youths by developing agro-allied industries in the nine Niger Delta states based on their potential and resources.

Speaking at his farm in Ikot Ebom Itam, Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Aniebet Antia, Chairman of the Commercial Farmers Association in the state, identified lack of capital as the major constraint to commercial farming, noting that with proper funding, small-holder farmers would contribute significantly to food production in the country.

The NDDC team also visited Asuakak Farms in Ididep Usuk, Ibiono Ibom, Local Government Area, which is managed by a young farmer named Mr. Kufre Joseph and grows a variety of crops such as cassava, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, tomatoes, and pepper.