Agric Expert Lists Ways To Achieve MDGs

As the Rivers State government targets the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in agricultural sector, a stakeholder in the sector, Mrs Irene Ibifuro Jumbo-Ibeakuzie has stressed the need for the government to appoint agricultural professionals to head Ministry of agriculture in the state.

Mrs Jumbo-Ibeakuzie who is the programme coordinator of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) community based Natural Resources Management Programme (CBNRMP) in the Niger Delta also wants the state government to ensure that professionals head, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and other relevant agencies since such establishments are agricultural policy making bodies.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, recently, the agricultural expert disclosed that the suggestions were based on the need to ensure round peg in a round hole working from the point of strength, learning and knowledge in order to realize the government’s target in the MDG’s in agricultural sector.

She further advocated for the republication of the Rivers State Government owned Songhai farm settlement at Bonu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area and other parts of the state so as to create aggressive job opportunities for youths especially agricultural graduates in the state.

In the same vein, Mrs Jumbo Ibeakuzie urged the government particularly policy makers in the agricultural sector to avoid what she described as policy somersault in order not to truncate a working policies and programmes in the desire to start a fresh one.

The IFAD programme coordinator however appealed to government at all levels in the country not to renege in contractual obligations as it affects counterpart funding so as enhrance full utilisation of loans and grants from donor agencies in assisted programme.

Similarly, the Rivers State born agricultural expert called for the institution of a special scholarship scheme for students of agricultural and other related courses so as to raise a new generation of farmer.

On the activities of her agency in the Niger Delta, Mrs Jumbo-Ibeakuzie discussed that the impact of the agricultural training and sensitization programmes have multiplier effects on the participating communities in the Niger Delta region and hoped that the youths would take the advantages provided by the IFAD programmes.

Isaac Nwankwo