The Federal Government of Nigeria, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for the Niger Delta in partnership with the Cross River State Government recently commissioned three rural infrastructural projects in Idoma community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State. This initiative is part of a broader effort to drive economic growth, enhanced food security and job creation in the region.
The collaboration, which include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has resulted in the establishment of a state-of-the-art 8 metric tons cassava processing mill, the construction of 1.3-kilometer access earth road, and a mini bridge all, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, promotion of value addition and enhancement of market linkages for local farmers.
During the commissioning / hand-over ceremony, Engr (Dr.) Sanni Abiodun, the National Project Coordinator for the FGN, IFAD NDDC, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project emphasized the significance in empowering women and addressing youth unemployment. “These integrated agricultural infrastructures are designed to meet the holistic needs of the Idoma community. The access road that seamlessly connect the mini bridge and, further linked the eight-metric tonnes cassava processing mill, are conceived towards enhancement of the rural economy and creating a well-connected agricultural hub”. the NPC maintained.
Engr (Dr.) Sanni who praised the collaborative efforts also stressed the importance of synergy in achieving sustainable development. “This project is a testament to what can be achieved when various levels of government and international partners come together with a shared vision,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Cross River State Government, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo Jr, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, described the project as a model that would be replicated across other local Government Areas in the State. He outlined the Government’s strategy to move from smallholder farming to large-scale agricultural mechanization. “Our focus is on heavy tractorisation to boost output. We are developing 12,000 hectares of land to attract commercial investments,” Ebokpo explained.
The Commissioner, further elaborated on the State’s efforts to create a conducive environment for agribusiness, noting that such initiatives are crucial in lifting communities out of poverty. “By subsidizing productivity and reducing wastage, we are directly creating up to 1,000 jobs in this community alone,” The new cassava processing mill, would significantly reduce post-harvest losses and make it easier for local farmers to process their produce without traveling long distances” He added.
On his part, the State Project Coordinator, Mr. Innocent Ogbin explained that, the commissioning and handover were in line with the project’s thrust. “We do not just identify the commodity as a value chain but we ensure that all the value chains are exhaustively handled. Our target is to reorientate the minds of the rural farmer that agriculture is business, and the mentorship and mentee model best prepares the minds of our incubatees, and their testimonies speak from themselves. We are also grateful by the reception of the community as they have accepted to take full responsibilities of the project. They did it before and we are confident that they will do it again”, he added.
His Royal Highness, Chief Steve Omori, the Clan Head of Idoma Clan, expressed deep gratitude to FGN IFAD NDDC LIFE-ND and other partners for their continued support. He recounted the transformative impact of IFAD funded Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme (CBNRMP) previous interventions , such as the establishment of plantain, oil palm nursery initiative, piggery farm and construction of classroom blocks in 2010, which had enabled the children to complete their secondary education without leaving the community. He further appreciated LIFE-ND Project for the privileged consideration given to Idoma community in distribution of the various projects and the impact it has on the people. These projects have brought lasting change to Idoma, and we will protect them just as we have guarded the classroom blocks,” Omori assured.
One of the project beneficiaries, Ms. Comfort Anthony Ekpe, shared her personal experience of empowerment through the initiative. “I was trained and mentored, and today, I have cultivated five hectares of land, acquired a motorized cassava grating engine and a community garri fryer. These has significantly improved my livelihood,” she said while underscoring the project’s tangible benefits for rural farmers.
The commissioning/hand-over event, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts towards enhancing agricultural productivity and socio-economic development in Cross River State. It is expected that as partners continue to collaborate, the overall benefits of a holistic integrated infrastructural projects as symbolize in Idoma community shall become a blueprint for similar initiatives across the region.
The high point of the event were commissioning/hand-over of the projects, various cultural displays, guarded tour and test-running of the various units of the cassava processing mill
