The International Fund for Agricultural Development, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for the Niger Delta (LIFE ND) Project converged at the Transcorp Hotel Calabar, Cross River State to launch the LIFE-ND Agribusiness Innovative Forum (LAbIF).
Engr. (Dr.)Sanni Fatai Abiodun, the National Project Coordinator of Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project in his keynote address stated that, the launch marked a significant milestone in promoting agribusiness innovation in the Region.
Engr. Abiodun highlighted the forum’s alignment with the objectives of the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to achieve sustainable job creation, wealth generation, and food security. According him , LIFE-ND project which is operating in six States of Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta, and Ondo, has already made significant strides by creating and supporting over 22,150 enterprises, injecting over 30 million USD into the rural economy, and enhancing agricultural productivity and value addition across seven commodity value chains.
“LIFE-ND as of today has created and supported 22,150 enterprises out of the targeted 22,500 across the participating six states in the Niger Delta”
The launch of the LIFE-ND Agribusiness Innovative Forum is aimed, to further support the incubation model of agribusiness development, particularly targeting unemployed youths and women”. The National Project Coordinator emphasized, on the critical role of small businesses in the agricultural sector and the need for comprehensive support to ensure their survival and success. According to the NPC, “This forum, aligns with the Food System Transformation Pathway and, a significant step towards innovative financing and private sector involvement in agriculture” He added.
Engr. Abiodun reiterated the Project’s commitment to enhancing income, food security, and job creation for rural youth and women in the Niger Delta, emphasizing the importance of setting up and strengthening institutional structures for sustainable development. He expressed gratitude to the Project Coordinating Unit of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Country Project Advisory Team, and all the stakeholders for their support and contributions to the Project’s successes.
“The launch of the LIFE-ND Agribusiness Innovative Forum (LABIF) signifies a collective effort towards fostering economic growth, promoting innovation, and ensuring the sustainability of agribusiness ventures in the Niger Delta Region. With a focus on empowerment, capacity building, and collaboration, the forum is poised to drive a positive change and create a lasting impact in the agricultural and rural development sector” He concluded.
One of the beneficiaries of the LIFE-ND project, Mr. Modey Andrew an incubatee in rice production at Mbenkpen, Ogoja Local Government Area, stated that through the financial aid, trainings and facilitating support granted him last year, not only has he expanded his hectarage but has increased his yield by over 100 percent of bags harvested.
Similarly, Miss. Mirian Asuquo Okon an aquaculture incubatee turned incubator of Ikot Nakanda in Akpabuyo LGA of Cross River State, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to benefit from the Project intervention. That, with a sustainable job, she’s able to generate income and contribute to the development of her community.
Highlights of the Launch, was panel discussions on various topical issues bothering on : The way forward for Agribusiness; how to access credit facilities and business advisory services, with discussants drawn from the financial institutions. Similarly, discussed were climate change, gender balance, the role of the off-takers, and the synergy with all the stakeholders in the business of agricultural development. LAbiF also, witnessed a display of knowledge management products from the six States, inspection of agricultural produce at the exhibition stand and Media on-site field visit to Nakanda Farm Product.
It is believed that as stakeholders gather to celebrate this memorable occasion, a new era of opportunities and partnerships, has been unveiled for harnessing in a thriving agribusiness ecosystem in the Niger Delta Region.
