Agriculture development: Rivers State commences developmental plans…10,000 youths to benefit

As Rivers State Government kicks off its new agro-development plans, no fewer than 10, 000 youths are expected to be empowered and trained in commercial agriculture.

This is sequel to the new N5billion loan facility approved for agricultural development by the state House of Assembly, on Wednesday, September 2, 20202, the state policy blueprint on agriculture aims to enhance and support commercial products of key agricultural sectors of crop farming, fish and livestock production.

Also included in the plan is the revival of School-to-Land Programme, establishment of demonstration farms and seed multiplication centres across the local government areas.
The aim is to integrate and support rural farmers in emerging commercial opportunities, and revive moribund state-owned agro-allied industries through public private partnership (PPP) programmes.

In a statement by the State Ministry of Agriculture, the governor, Nyesom Wike, is said to have proactively called for the revival of the agric sector with a view to galvanise an agric revolution in Rivers State.

The thrust of his vision, according to the statement, is to make Rivers State an agriculturally-viable economy that would lead to exponential increase in food production, employment generation and agro- business opportunities, adding  that new stimulus package is being packaged through Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervention initiative under the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) together with a World Bank stimuli support (CARES) scheme.

It would be recalled that last February, the state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, commenced the registration of farmers and agro-allied cooperatives ahead of the take-off of the programme.

Over 3,000 farmers were registered before the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lock down.
according to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Magnus Kpakol, the scheme would be implemented in phases.

He said the Ministry is working on identifying the real farmers, while simultaneously embarking on a comprehensive assessment of the agric potentials of each local government.

“We can’t just give out the loans without accurate data and feasibility study.” He said.