News in Brief:
– The NDDC plans to invest in modern farming equipment to support its youth-focused agriculture initiative, Project HOPE.
– This move aims to improve agricultural productivity, create jobs and achieve food security in the Niger Delta region.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to acquire modern farming equipment, including tractors, to support its Holistic Opportunities, Projects and Engagement (HOPE) initiative. The move aims to create employment opportunities for young people in the Niger Delta region by focusing on agriculture.
Executive Director of Projects at NDDC, Victor Antai, recently visited Bob Track Limited, a Port Harcourt-based company that manufactures farming equipment. During the visit, he emphasised the importance of transitioning from traditional to mechanised farming methods to improve agricultural productivity and achieve food security in the Niger Delta.
The NDDC delegation, which included the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Winifred Madume, and the Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Dr Godwin Nosiri, expressed satisfaction with the quality and capabilities of Bob Track’s machinery. They believe this equipment has the potential to empower young people in the region by creating new jobs in agriculture.
Project HOPE advocates mechanised farming for youth engagement
Antai stated that the board is looking at various farming equipment to see how it can best incorporate them into the Project HOPE programme. Additionally, he noted that initiative is designed to engage young people in the Niger Delta by creating job opportunities in agriculture.
Also, Blessing Fubara, the resource person for Project HOPE, welcomed the NDDC’s decision to mechanise the agricultural aspect of the initiative. Fubara emphasised the importance of finding sustainable solutions to encourage youth participation in agriculture and accelerate development in the Niger Delta region.
Meantime, Ibifiri Bob Manuel, the Managing Director of Bob Track Limited, highlighted the significance of a mechanised agricultural revolution for Nigeria’s economic growth. He added that Bob Track tractors are specifically designed for Nigerian conditions, making them suitable for use in the Niger Delta.
This initiative by the NDDC aims at playing a significant role in boosting agricultural production and creating job opportunities for young people in the Niger Delta region.
