RSG Disburses N350m Under Fadama III Scheme

The sum of N350 million has been disbursed by the Rivers State Governmentn to 2,160 Fadama user co-operatives and 186 Fadama Community Associations, respectively under the Fadama III project.

The Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi disclosed this during the 2012 World Food Day Celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The governor, who was represented by the  State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Emmanuel Chindah also said that both associations have benefitted immensely from various agricultural activities in the area of fish, poultry production, crop, oil palm, cassava processing and vegetables, among others.

He said Fadama III has empowered a good number of widows and youths, making them self rediant, thereby reducing youth restiveness and unemployment.

He said that the government has also established large scale mechanised farms across the state to ensure food sufficiency in the state.

The governor named some of the efforts of government to include the establishment of the Rivers Songhai farm at Bunu, in Tai Local Government Area, fish farms across the state with an additional 20,000 hectares of oil palmland in Abua and Ogoni axis of the state.

The governor futher said that the government has created six redemption centres in the state under the Ecowas Enhancement Scheme (EES).

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Emmanuel Chindah, whose address was  read by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Hart, said that this year’s theme which is “Agricultural Co-operatives, Key to Feeding the World,” was chosen to highlight the role of co-operatives in improving food security and contributing to the eradication of hunger.

The Agriculture boss, who described co-operatives as a strong, vibrant and viable economic alternative to meeting the need of farmers, said that the ministry would continue to encourage farmers to go into Co-operatives.

He commended the State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi for making agricultural programme the centre-piece of his economic development agenda.

The Commissioner used the event to urge the youth and others to form co-operatives as that would enable them improve their livelihood.

John Bibor