The special adviser to the Delta State Governor, Hon. Donald Peterson, has said the state government is making significant efforts to transform agriculture through innovative agribusiness initiatives.
In a chat with LEADERSHIP, Peterson said the Deltapreneur programme, an initiative of the Delta State government which entails agropreneurship and techpreneurship, aims to tackle unemployment and underemployment in the state.
Peterson highlighted the importance of hydroponic farming, a soilless farming system designed to promote unconventional farming and address security concerns that prevent many farmers from going to open farms.
He explained that the hydroponic system offers ten times the yield of traditional farming and allows farmers to grow crops such as cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, and bell peppers in controlled environments, including their homes.
“We are not just teaching youths about hydroponic farming; we are also supporting them with critical market information. For example, last year, during a period of acute bell pepper shortage in the South-South and South-West regions, a single farmer in Delta State was able to sell over 100,000 kg at N6,500 per kg, making substantial profits,” he stated.
Beyond hydroponic farming, the state government also launched the Transgenerational Wealth Creator programme, focusing on coconut and snail farming. According to Hon. Peterson, this method of snail farming goes beyond selling snails to slime production.
He said the government has also integrated technology into agriculture by developing an app that connects farmers directly to buyers, eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair pricing.
The state government has introduced a techpreneurship programme to further enhance youth engagement in technology. Under this initiative, young people are equipped with artificial intelligence, data analytics, and software development skills. Collaborating with institutions in Delta State, the programme has already attracted over 2,000 students in its first phase. Participants are trained in AI-generated content creation, a rapidly growing industry where digital assets can generate substantial revenue through online platforms.
Peterson affirmed the Delta State government’s commitment to promote economic growth through agropreneurship and techpreneurship.
“We are aggressively addressing underemployment by providing innovative solutions that empower our people. These initiatives are not just creating jobs; they are building a sustainable future for Delta State.”
He called for a shift from Nigeria’s import-dependent economy to a productive one, urging citizens to embrace local production and innovation.
