ELIZABETH VINCENT, Yenagoa
The livelihood improvement family enterprise in Niger Delta ( LIFE-ND) project played host to a consultative meeting of stakeholders in rural Agri-institution and support to multi multi-stakeholder platform in LIFE–ND project, on Friday.
The LIFE- ND project is an International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), alongside the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), funded initiative designed to cater to the interests of rural youth and women.
As well as people with disability by providing a sustainable means of livelihood through agri-business using the incubation model.
In his opening remark, Mr Kester Amos-Ebiowei, the Bayelsa state project coordinator ( SPC), emphasized the importance of partnership in transforming the agricultural food system, especially among small-scale farmers.
He stated that the essence of the programme was mainly to reach out to rural farmers with a view to identifying their challenges.
“Provide access to finance, extension services and to further strengthen their farmer’s organization in the communities.
According to him: “It is imperative given the fact the bulk of food consumed in the country was sourced from small holder farmers in the face of a myriad of challenges, thereby necessitating the need for closer ties.
On his part, Dr Clement Uwem, Rural Institution, Gender and Youth Coordinator LIFE-ND, said that the essence of farmers’ organization is to make sure that farmers are organized in a way that they can confront multi-dimensional challenges that is typical of small-scale farmers.
He appealed to participants to have a stronger farmers’ organization and robust collaboration that will enhance their capacity, increase knowledge sharing, as to arrive at tailored solutions to their challenges.
The event had representatives from various farmers groups such as Youth in Agriculture, Nigeria Women in Agriculture, LIFE-ND Agribusiness Innovative Forum ( LABIF).
Others are Bayelsa State Agriculture Development project (ADP), Commodity Apex Development Association (CADA) and the state Bureau of cooperatives Participants engaged in a robust panel discussion on key issues bedevilling the sector.
Including not limited to, finance, climate-smart agriculture, land availability and market linkages.
The duo of Mrs Beketin Taiwo and Mr Ovuru Tariowei, participants, called for more of such engagement to enable small scale farmers synergize more for higher productivity even as they implored farmers to see agriculture as a business not a leisure.
A key highlight of the event was the production of a communique outlining collaborative strategies to strengthening multi stakeholder platform in the state.
For a better society
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