By Julius Obiora
Delta State is rewriting its story under the administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. For a state that has largely focused on the oil and gas sector as its lifeline, it is opening up a new frontier – agriculture. Like a sensible government, Delta is seeking to diversify its economy and also maximise its agricultural potential through investing in crop production, livestock and aquaculture.
Speaking in Asaba, the state capital, on Tuesday at 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, the governor announced the release of N1bn counterpart funding for the Africa Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD), to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock and aquaculture.
It is good that Oborevwori wants to kill two birds – empowerment and food security – with one stone. This investment would definitely boost food production and food security. For a nation faced with a food inflation rate of 37.5% and 16% of the populace facing food insecurity, moves like that of Delta State to boost food production are welcome all over the country. Addressing the 6, 020 beneficiary farmers, Oborevwori committed government support to their growth and urged them to maximally utilise the inputs.
“Our farmers must receive the necessary support to continue their vital contributions to our economy,” Oborevwori said.
“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.”
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Surely, agriculture has the potential to be a money spinner. Whether it be in food production under poultry; fish farming, cassava cultivation, maize crop, pepper production or vegetable farming. But the next line in speech perhaps addressed the positive step towards agriculture. The state’s MORE agenda stands for ‘Meaningful Development, Opportunity for All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security.’
Three beneficiaries of the programmes – Friday Imonikebe, Paul Ejuone and Ifeoma Akinjare – expressed their appreciation to Governor Oborevwori. They also thanked him for keeping his promise on road projects across the state, including the construction of Emevor-Orogun Road phases 1 and 2. Earlier in the year, the governor said that he would renovate roads to the farm settlements when he visited the Agro-Industrial Park, Aboh-Ogwashi, where rice would be milled and other grains processed.
“We will work with the Ministry of Works to see how we will manage this road to enable us to take these produce out,” he had said at that event.
Since coming onboard as governor in 2023, Oborevwori has focused on the agricultural sector. He is also tackling youth unemployment and his administration has intensified the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS) in the state. The AADS is a 2020 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) scheme with states to engage 370,000 youth in agricultural production. The loan which is repayable within a maximum tenor of six years is charged below 10% per annum to farmers involved in the production of 13 agricultural commodities to include rice, maize, cassava, cotton, wheat, tomato, poultry, fish, sorghum, oil palm, cocoa, livestock/diary, and any other commodities, as may be listed by the CBN from time to time.
But, really, Oboreveori’s strides in the agricultural sector should not come as a surprise to anyone that has been following him. On his campaign trail to becoming Delta governor, he had stated his intentions clearly.
“I shall engage the youth in farming through a structured process that will encourage cluster farming alongside supporting and promoting out-growers associations,” he had said at that time.
“Robust and focused agricultural extension services will be put in place to support the farmers. Input provision, mechanisation and cooperative farming will be aggressively pursued.”
Last year, under the AADS initiative, the state government partnered with Afritropic, an Agriculture based Service Provider, to establish greenhouses in the farm settlements located at Mbiri in Ika North East Local Government Area, (Delta North senatorial district), Kpakiama town in Bomadi Local Government Area (Delta South senatorial district) and Deghele (Elume) in Sapele Local Government Area (Delta Central senatorial district). The greenhouse farms would have 30 tents, solar-powered water systems, office buildings and rest rooms. And in January 2024, after inspecting an AADS project of 30 greenhouses for the cultivation of tomatoes and other vegetables at Mbiri Farm Settlement, the governor was pleasantly surprised. He learnt that each of the green houses is capable of producing three tonnes of tomatoes every cultivation cycle. That’s huge. And the stuff needed for the agricultural revolution.
“You see, our people go to the North to get tomatoes and this place has been existing for some decades now,” Oborevwori said.
“So, this farm settlement is a very good choice to do this greenhouse planting for the production of tomatoes and other vegetables. People erroneously think that we are an oil- producing state and so we can depend on only oil. No, we cannot depend on oil alone. With the removal of the oil subsidy, we should also encourage our people to go into farming because it will help us. Food security is very important. Our people consume a lot: so, we must make food available and that’s why I have come here.”
It can only be imagined when these pilot greenhouse farms are replicated across the state.
“If you go through my MORE agenda, I said that there is going to be sustainable agriculture sector reforms,” Oborevwori said.
“We are going to support them because we have N2 billion Special Agricultural Intervention Fund and we will disburse that money within this month.”
Though known for being a major site of the oil and gas activities, Delta State doesn’t want to stick to that, especially when it is also geographically suited for agriculture. For instance, given its aquatic environment, it is only a logical move to diversify into fish farming, even on a scale which would be the envy of other states. Also, it has been acknowledged how farming is a win-win in terms of direct consumption and source of revenue both in Naira and foreign exchange. Hence, like it is being advocated globally, all hands in Delta are encouraged to be involved in some sort of farming.
“Together, we are building a more resilient Delta, one that is prepared to overcome challenges and seize opportunities,” Governor Oborevwori said, urging Deltans to embrace farming wherever they are, be it in rural or urban areas.
Deltans must, however, support the drive of the state government. Reports that buildings were destroyed by some persons in Kpakiama farm settlement is not encouraging. While this incident has been nipped in the bud by a relocation, it is always the best to strive for peaceful conflict resolutions. It is only via peace and cooperation that Delta’s agricultural revolution can see the light to bear the needed fruits.