The Delta government on Wednesday lauded the International Fund for Agricultural Development-supported Livelihood Improvement and Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta project for engaging 630 incubatees under its additional financing.

The LIFE-ND project has completed its first six-year circle and has empowered 4,373 rural youths and women through agribusiness in Delta.

The LIFE-ND Project is sponsored by the federal government, IFAD, and the Niger Delta Development Commission and is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Delta government.

The commissioner for economic planning, Sonny Ekedayen, made the commendation in Asaba at the orientation ceremony for 630 incubatees from six LGAs of Delta under the LIFE-ND first year of the Additional Financing Project.

He said that agriculture has become a business, adding that, given the growing population of over 230 million Nigerians, these people need to be fed, so it is necessary for the youths to go into agriculture to produce more food.

Mr Ekedayen said, “This LIFE-ND project is very important for the youths and women. Food security is something that must be taken seriously not only by the state government but also as a country.”

On post-harvest losses and crashing prices of agricultural crops, the commissioner said the challenge has persisted in the country for decades and has discouraged more people from entering commercial farming.

According to Mr Ekedayen, the Delta government is working out the modalities with private partners to build agricultural silos in rural agrarian communities in the state.

Also, the state commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, Val Arenyeka, represented by Edmond Orioko, acting permanent secretary in the ministry, said the LIFE-ND project marked a new milestone in our shared commitment to youth empowerment, agribusiness development, and rural transformation.

In his keynote address, the national project coordinator, LIFE-ND, Abiodun Sanni, said the project life cycle, which began in 2019, ended in March 2025.

According to Mr Abiodun, LIFE-ND, having secured additional financing, would run a three-year cycle from April 2025 to 2028.

Stella Manureh of NDDC said that the commission, as a major partner in the LIFE-ND project, would continue to support projects targeted at empowering youths and women in the region.

LIFE-ND’s state project coordinator, Collins Ashoro, said that the purpose of the orientation was to acquaint the incubatees with the workings of the project, its objectives, expectations, and implementation processes.

He said that the orientation was scheduled to be held in two hubs: Asaba and Ughelli. Beneficiaries from Ndokwa West, Ika South, and Ethiope East LGAs attended the orientation in Asaba, while those from Bomadi, Ughelli, and Okpe LGAs will be trained at the Ughelli hub.

 (NAN)