The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the harvest of its 50 hectares rice farm in warrake, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo.

The cultivation is under its cassava and rice farmers empowerment programme

Samuel Ogbuku, the managing director/chief executive, NDDC, said on Monday at the harvest that the effort was geared towards enhancing local agriculture and food security.

Mr Ogbuku was represented by Dr Winifred Madume, the director of agriculture and fisheries, NDDC

Mr Ogbuku said that the all-round success of this farm was achieved following the adoption of full mechanisation from land preparation to harvest as well as good agronomic practice.

“On June 5, we gathered at the headquarters of NDDC in Port Harcourt to formally involve participating communities that provided land for this programme across the Niger Delta.

“I recall the enthusiasm of farmers and community leaders at the ceremony and fears expressed as a result of disappointments in the past.

“I was happy that a few weeks after the ceremony, we started working with farmers in the first set of communities.

“Today, I am pleased that we have started harvesting here in Warrake. Work with farmers is also ongoing in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states,” he said.

Mr Ogbuku said that as the flood waters receded, the commission would continue all-season farming across all the states of the Niger Delta according to its programme.

He encouraged farmers, communities, and contractors/consultants to continue to work closely with NDDC to replicate the success across all project areas.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta and the special emphasis he has placed on food security in Nigeria.

”I would also like to use this opportunity to thank my colleagues – the Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai and other directors for their commitment to implementing the priorities of the NDDC.

“Today, this harvest serves as a milestone in a journey that is far from complete but has certainly taken off on a strong footing.

”The lessons learnt from this inaugural farm and others currently at various stages will support our efforts in continuous improvement,” he added.

Mr Ogbuku commended the leadership of Warrake community for not only the land they made available but also the enabling environment provided for the success of the project.

He also thanked the farmers for their hard work leading to the harvest, adding that NDDC would sustain the programme.

According to him, we have designed this programme in such a way that it will not only be self-sustaining but will attract financial institutions to join us in reaching more communities.

On his part, Von Dimieari, consultant to the project, said 98 hectares were prepared for cultivation, out of which only 50 hectares were planted.

Mr Dimieari said that out of the 50 hectares, 25 hectares were affected by drought,t while 25 hectares survived.

According to him, a similar project is ongoing in Akwa Ibom and Rivers, and the rice being cultivated are Faro brand.

(NAN)