Food Security: Delta Releases N1bn AUDA-NEPAD Counterpart Fund

Delta State governor Sheriff Oborevwori has announced the release of a N1 billion counterpart fund for the Africa Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD), to empower 2,000 farmers in food production, livestock, and aquaculture.

He stated this during the flag-off of the disbursement of agricultural inputs to beneficiaries under the Result Area 2 – FADAMA (Food Security) of the Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, D-CARES, in Asaba.

He said the state government took the steps to boost agricultural production and ensure sustainable food security in the state and the country at large.

While also providing agricultural inputs to 6,020 farmers to boost agricultural production and food security in the state, he urged the beneficiaries to make use of the opportunity by utilising the inputs efficiently so as to improve their productivity and harvest and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector in the state.

“Today’s disbursement is part of that broader initiative, with particular focus on providing over 6,000 of our hardworking farmers with the essential inputs needed to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security across the state.

“Our farmers must receive the necessary support to continue their vital contributions to our economy. Agriculture remains a key pillar of our development strategy, and, through this disbursement, we aim to enhance food production, increase household incomes, and ultimately improve the livelihood of thousands of Deltans,” he said.

The commissioner for Economic Planning and chairman State CARES Steering Committee, Mr Sonny Ekedayen in his remarks, said 6,020 farmers were being empowered under the Result Area 2, which is the food security component of the Delta Cares Programme.

He urged Deltans to embrace urban farming in wherever space they could find to enhance productivity and, thus, combat the huge rise in food prices.

Some of the beneficiaries, Friday Imonikebe, Paul Ejuone and Ifeoma Akinjare, appreciated Governor Oborevwori for the empowerment and lauded him for the many road projects across the state, including the construction of Emevor-Orogun Road phases 1 and 2.