The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-supported Livelihood Improvement and Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project has commenced the implementation of an agri-entrepreneurship initiative across Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Imo states.

The National Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Dr Abiodun Sanni, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

His statement followed a sensitisation and inspection tour by project officials.

Mr Sanni named three states as part of those funded by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

He emphasised that implementation has begun with community sensitisation and the identification of both incubators and incubatees in the participating states.

According to him, the sensitisation aims to create awareness within the communities and instil a sense of ownership.

He noted that the exercise involved engaging community members and leaders, as well as identifying potential incubators (trainers) and incubatees (trainees) in the respective Local Government Areas.

He said, “This sensitisation creates a background to the next exercise, which is profiling of potential incubators and incubatees who are the key players in the LIFE-ND incubation model. This model takes it roots from the traditional master-apprenticeship system popularly practised in the eastern region of Nigeria. The set target is that each state is expected to empower 4,250 beneficiaries and there is a deliberate effort at ensuring gender balance is achieved.’’

Mr Sanni explained that the identified beneficiaries would be profiled and that prospective incubators and incubatees would subsequently be selected.

He said, “In terms of commodity focus, Akwa Ibom State will prioritise cassava, oil palm, poultry, and aquaculture; Imo will focus on cassava, rice, poultry, and aquaculture; while Rivers will target cassava, plantain, poultry, and aquaculture. The overall goal of the LIFE-ND project is to realise a transformed rural economy in the Niger Delta from which the rural population can derive prosperity and equal benefit. The project development objective is to enhance income, food security and job creation for rural youth and women through agri-enterprise development on a sustainable basis in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.”

The LIFE-ND project, a joint initiative of the Federal Government and IFAD, officially began on February 21, 2019.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) serves as the lead implementing agency, while NDDC acts as a partner in delivering the project across the nine Niger Delta states.

The project is targeting a total of 38,250 beneficiaries across Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers states.

Mr Sanni clarified that IFAD was funding six of the states; Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Ondo, while the remaining three were funded by the NDDC.

He further noted that the project includes an initial six-year phase with parallel funding from NDDC, and an additional six years under future IFAD financing.

He said, “IFAD has released 60 million US dollars in the first which has enabled the implementation of the project in the six states of Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Ondo from 2019 to 2025. NDDC funded states commenced implementation in 2024 when it made the initial commitment of 2.5 million dollars in August 2024 and another 2.5 million dollars in January 2025. The said amount will enable the three states to swing into full implementation”.

Meanwhile, on the ground in Imo State, stakeholders are already witnessing the impact of the project.

An incubator and owner of Prince Mbaeyi Emeka Farm in Obollo Autonomous Community, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Mbaeyi Emeka, commended the LIFE-ND intervention.

Mr Emeka stated that he had previously operated as a subsistence cassava farmer before joining the project.

Now, he proudly identifies as a full-fledged commercial farmer.

“I advise youth and women indulging in cassava production to be dedicated. If you can endure for one year when the cassava has mature, you will realise bumper harvest, self-sustaining economically and employer of labour. There is money in farming, especially cassava. When l came back from Italy after spending four years l went into farming which is profitable. So, l advise people to be courageous and go into farming, especially cassava production rather than waiting time in expectation of civil service and oil jobs that are not available,” he said.

Similarly, an incubatee under Mbaeyi Farms, Iefeoma Njoku, described cassava farming as a lucrative venture.

She encouraged other women to take advantage of the LIFE-ND project to improve their livelihoods and boost household incomes.

She praised the project for alleviating the struggles of the less-privileged.

Also. Assistant Farm Manager at Petros Poultry Farms in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Young-man Soseipiri, said the initiative had provided an opportunity to train incubatees in broiler and layer production.

(NAN)