Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Nigeria, has announced plans to disburse a Special Agricultural Intervention Fund of two billion naira to farmers within the month.
The governor made this disclosure after inspecting the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS) at Mbiri Farm Settlement and the Agro-Industrial Park in Aboh-Ogwashi, situated in Ika North-East and Aniocha South Local Government Areas of Delta State.
The Mbiri Farm Settlement features 30 greenhouses dedicated to the cultivation of tomatoes and other vegetables, while the Aboh-Ogwashi site focuses on rice milling and processing other grains. Governor Oborevwori emphasised his administration’s commitment to enhancing the agricultural value chain to ensure food security and job creation in the state.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the existing farm settlement initiatives in the three senatorial districts and pledged support through the N2 billion Special Agricultural Intervention Fund. He emphasised the importance of sustainable agriculture sector reforms and the need to encourage farming, especially with the removal of oil subsidies.
Governor Oborevwori assured that his administration would work on improving infrastructure, including access roads, to facilitate the transportation of produce from the farm settlements. He highlighted the significance of agricultural diversification, stating that the state cannot solely rely on oil and must prioritise food security.
The Commissioner for Agricultural Development, Mr. Perez Omoun, provided details about the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS), mentioning the establishment of three greenhouse farms across the state’s three senatorial districts. The governor also received requests from the local community, including the construction of access roads and the establishment of a college of agriculture.
The governor pledged to address the community’s requests and collaborate with project consultants to ensure the timely completion of the Agro-Industrial Park in Aboh-Ogwashi, benefiting both the state and the country.