News in Brief:
– The NDDC and rice farmers partnered to improve food security in the region.
– They plan to leverage the region’s natural resources and modern techniques to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production to support farmers and encourage youth involvement.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has partnered with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) to enhance rice production and ensure food security in the Niger Delta region.
According to a statement by the commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku,, this collaboration aims to leverage the region’s natural resources and the expertise of RIFAN to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.
The NDDC recognises the potential of agriculture to create employment opportunities for the region’s youth. It is running a “Project HOPE”, which aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while aiming to engage young people in agriculture through skills development and potential job creation.
The commissionsalso emphasizes the importance of transitioning from subsistence farming to mechanised agriculture to maximise the region’s agricultural potential, especially its ideal conditions for rice cultivation which include factors like arable wetlands and abundant rainfall.
RIFAN and the region’s development commission seeks to capitalise on these advantages and empower local rice farmers to increase production significantly. RIFAN’s commitment to boosting local food production aligns with the NDDC’s goals and their partnership aims to demonstrate the potential for Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production and contribute to national food security.
NDDC held a strategic engagement with members of the farmers’ association, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently.
