The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), launched the LIFE-ND initiative in 2019 to empower youth and women, particularly those living with disabilities in the Niger Delta region through income-generating opportunities in agribusiness.
The programme aims to reach 38,250 individuals across nine states in the region: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
With financial backing from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for participants in Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers states, recent assessment reports from these areas have shown encouraging results. Many young people who enrolled as “incubatees” have gained hands-on experience in production, processing, and marketing within various agricultural value chains.
During monitoring visits to farms in Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers, officials from the LIFE-ND project and the NDDC observed significant progress among the mentees, who are currently undergoing training on established farms under experienced mentors.
In Akwa Ibom’s Essien Udim area, Mr. Bassey Eteyit, the General Manager of Eteyit Farms and an incubator under the programme, currently mentors 10 youths. He remarked that the participants now have a solid understanding of fish farming and processing. “It’s a commendable and sustainable initiative,” he added.
One of the mentees, Utibe Monday Alexander, shared his transformation story: “I joined the programme with no prior knowledge, but I’ve learned how to rear and process fish for sale.”
In Imo State, a project monitoring team led by Wale Oretan, Deputy Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, praised the efforts of both trainers and trainees involved in cassava farming and aquaculture in Nnebukwu, Izombe.
Under the guidance of mentor Uchegbu Chijioke, aquaculture trainees expressed satisfaction with their progress, noting that the experience has been life-changing. “We now have the skills to run our own fish farming businesses and are capable of engaging in both physical and digital fish marketing,” one of the participants stated.
