The Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr.Winifred Madumee has said that Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises–Niger Delta, LIFE-ND has advance agricultural transformation in the Niger Delta region.
Dr. Madume made the assertion when the officials of NDDC and LIFE-ND inspect agricultural incubation centres in Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers States to evaluate the programme’s performance in the rural communities.
Speaking during the inspection of Megalakes Farms in Ogu Town, Rivers State, the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Madume, said the exercise was a routine inspection aimed at assessing the level of implementation of the programme.
According to her, “This oversight function is to ensure that the training is on track with its mandate. The NDDC’s commitment to meeting its counterpart funding obligations and driving rural economic transformation is in alignment with the agricultural development objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
She explained that the inspection provided an opportunity to engage directly with incubatees across the different batches and identify areas for improvement under the LIFE-ND programme, a collaborative initiative involving the NDDC, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Federal Government, and participating state governments. She added that the three-day inspection covered incubation centres in Delta, Imo and Akwa Ibom States.
The Special Assistant on Agriculture to the NDDC Managing Director, Mr Abi Morris expressed satisfaction with the level of implementation of the programme and the enthusiasm displayed by the young agripreneurs who have either set up their own enterprise or are undergoing incubation.
“This programme is a clear demonstration of development in action. It goes beyond training to unlocking livelihoods and reshaping mindsets. The Commission will continue to support initiatives that equip our youth with the skills and resources to succeed. We have taken note of the challenges faced by these young agripreneurs and ensured that necessary adjustments are made,” Morris said.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries of NDDC and LIFE-ND expressed gratitude to the managements of NDDC and LIFE-ND and Federal Government for the initiative, adding that the training has given them the opportunity to learn fish production, processing and marketing, Garri marketing enterprise.
