Delta commissioner says LIFE-ND project deploys N6bn infrastructure
By Ifeanyi Olannye
The Delta Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Val Arenyeka, says the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has deployed over N6 billion worth of infrastructure since inception in the state.
Arenyeka disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday during the World Food Day celebration in Asaba.
He also said that no fewer than 12,000 incubatees had been trained and empowered across the 10 selected local government areas of the state
“LIFE-ND Project has trained over 12,000 incubatees on best farm practices and have empowered them to start their own business across the state.
“The projects has provided infrastructure: solar boreholes, open and lockup stalls, oil palm processing mills, poultry pens among others worth over N6 billion across the state.
“One of our critical component of Agriculture in Delta today, is LiFE-ND Project,” he said.
The commissioner said that the theme of the year’s World Food Day, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” remained critical to the development of agriculture and addressing food security in the country.
According to him, farming has become more scientific now than before and farming methods have changed from what they used to be.
“So, we encourage farmers to embrace innovation and science and if you look round, most of the products we have today are products of innovation.
“This is because most farmers are now using best farm practices to produce food, he said.
Also, the State Coordinator, LIFE-ND Project, Mr Collins Ashoro, said the activities of the project conformed with the theme of the World Food Day, “Innovation today, Nourish tomorrow”.
He said LIFE-ND had contributed immensely to ensure food security through its intervention in four products: poultry, fisheries, cassava production and oli palm processing and their value chains in the state.
According to Ashoro, LIFE-ND has adopted the incubation model to equip and train the incubatees to produce and increase the food basket of the state.
He said the project showcased green pepper, habanero peppers, vegetables, garri, palm oil among other items to the event.
NAN report that the LIFE-ND project is sponsored by the Federal and participating state Governments, the International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) across nine states in the Niger Delta region.(NAN).
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
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