The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), a federal intervention project, has launched the Agribusiness Innovative Forum (LAbIF) to create jobs and empower farmers in Edo State.

LIFE-ND is funded by the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Edo government.

Speaking at the event on Friday in Benin City, John Omoruyi, the state project coordinator, LIFE-ND, highlighted that agribusiness had become central to Nigeria’s economy.

He stated that LAbIF would enhance farmers’ access to credit facilities.

Mr Omoruyi explained that launching the forum aligned with the Federal Government’s goal of sustainable job and wealth creation and ensuring food security for the nation.

He emphasised that LAbIF would encourage unemployed youths and women to engage in agribusiness, focusing on the LIFE-ND commodities value chains within Edo State.

“The idea behind LAbIF is to harmonize and bring together major stakeholders in agribusiness in Edo State. LAbIF will promote synergy from the farm gate to the community, markets, agro-dealers, and financial institutions that provide credit to farmers,” he said.

Mr Omoruyi said that the forum would act as a one-stop shop to streamline agribusiness operations, boosting productivity and income for farmers in the state.

He said, “The aim of establishing this forum is to foster harmonization, collaboration, and synchronization across farming, input provision, credit, and marketing.’’

According to Mr Omoruyi, the overall objective is to create more job opportunities and drive agribusiness expansion throughout the state.

Providing an overview of the LIFE-ND project, Mr Omoruyi noted that it had directly supported 4,250 beneficiaries, comprising 2,125 men and 2,125 women, each representing 50 per cent.

He mentioned that the project targeted 2,975 smallholder farmers and 1,275 processors and marketers to be strategically supported by 2025.

Mr Omoruyi disclosed that the LIFE-ND Project in Edo State focused on four key commodities: cassava, rice, poultry, and fish, which had a comparative advantage in the region.

He listed the 10 participating local government areas to include Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode, Ovia North-East, Esan West, Esan North-East, Esan South-East, Etsako Central, Owan West, and Akoko-Edo.

Mr Omoruyi stated that LIFE-ND currently had a presence in 100 communities across these 10 participating.

A panel session involving agriculture value chain stakeholders, including financial institutions, was held to guide farmers on business registration for accessing government incentives and grants.

The high point of the event was the election of the chairman and other executive members of LAbIF, marking a new chapter for agribusiness in Edo State.

(NAN)