RSG Urges Stakeholders To Invest in Mechanised Agric

The Rivers State Government has called on corporate organizations and entrepreneurs in the state to take advantage of the favourable environment in the state to invest in mechanized agriculture as a means of boosting economic empowerment and employment generation.
The state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said the dwindling fortune of oil in the international market has made agriculture the most viable alternative source of revenue generation.
The governor stated this during NAOC’s 2015, Green River Project (GRP) and 19th Farmers Day Celebration at the Plant Propagation Centre, Obiafu-Obrikom, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Wike, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo harry Banigo, said Agip Oil Company, through its Green River Project, had contributed immensely towards the development of agriculture in the State, by sustaining the programme for 19 years running.
He noted that the state government had seen a willing partner in furtherance of its agricultural revolution agenda, emphasizing that the state government would continue to support NAOC in its drive to improve the lives of farmers in the state.
The state chief executive explained that agricultural development would be accorded priority attention by the present administration as farmers would be granted soft loans and provided with improved seedlings to enhance food production.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural resources, Mr. Sunny Echono, said the Federal Government had initiated several agricultural programmes that would enhance the development of the sector such as e-wallet, financial inclusion to encourage private sector participation, and Green Aggregation Programme aimed at boosting food sufficiency in the nation.
Earlier, Vice Chairman/Managing Director, Nigerian Agip Company Limited, Mr. Massimo Insulla, said the farmers day had been aligned with the international Exhibition, Expo Milano 2015, holding in Milan, Italy, which is expected to attract about 20 million visitors from over 140 countries.
The General Manager, District, NAOC, Mr. Paolo Camevale, recalled that the Green River Project was established in 1987, with the objective of tackling food security and improve the livelihood of the host communities, adding that so far, about 35,000 farmers have benefited from various support inputs.
Governors from the South-South including Imo, and Abia States attended the programme.