Over 3640 farmers from 56 communities across the 25 Local Government Area of Delta State have received Agricultural inputs and assets as grants from the state Government under the Delta State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (DCARES) programme Result Area 2.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Godfrey Enita when he presented agricultural inputs comprising of 600 bags of fish feeds, 130 bags of poultry feeds, 15000 fish juveniles, 750 day old chicks, medicaments and other agricultural inputs to 60 beneficiaries of Asaba metropolis farmers community association on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
The ceremony which took place at the grass field by Olorogun Felix Ibru Annex within the premises of the State Secretariat saw beneficiaries and other stakeholders of the DCARES programme in the State in attendance.
The Commissioner noted that the distribution of Agricultural inputs and Assets to farmers as grants through the DCARES programme result Area 2 was part of the efforts of the State Government aimed at increasing food security in the State. He stated that the programme is expected to be continuous until the over 13000 beneficiary farmers targeted for the programme are reached. He therefore, appreciated the State Governor Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa for ensuring that Delta State keyed into the CARES Programme and putting in place the necessary machinery that would ensure smooth implementation of the programme for the benefit of the people of the styhate.
While presenting the Agricultural inputs to the beneficiaries in Asaba, the Commissioner urged them to effectively utilize the inputs given to them so that the development objective of the DCARES Programme Result Area 2 which is increasing food security in the state can be achieved.
Delivering the keynote address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Ben Agamah stated that agriculture and farming are synonymous to life as there can be no human existence without food.
He therefore urged the beneficiaries to leverage on this opportunity to make their lives better and improve their livelihoods.
In her welcome Address, the State Project Co-ordinator (FADAMA) and Technical head DCARES Result Area 2, Ms. Tessy Omame thanked all beneficiaries and stakeholders for being present at the occasion and congratulated the beneficiaries for the opportunity that has come to them to benefit from DCARES programme and contribute their quota toward the achievement of food sufficiency in the State.
While making her brief remarks, the State Co-ordinator, Delta State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (DCARES) programme, Lady Patience Ogbewe said she was grateful to God that the State was able to ensure that the essence of the DCARES programme and the results intended to be achieved through the programme are being achieved.
She disclosed that Delta State is among the best performing States in-terms of programme implementation and achievement of set objectives, noting that this was only made possible by the effort of the Governor Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa in ensuring that required resources in terms of personnel and funds are made available, as well as the dedication of DCARES team members. She stated further that Delta State in progressing on the programme as observed by the Independent Verification Agents (IVA) that visited the State not too long ago to assess the performance of the programme.
In his vote of thanks, Mr. Mokolo Amechi, the FCA Chairman of Asaba Metropolis Farmers Community Association, on behalf of the beneficiaries thanked the State Government ably led by His Excellency, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa for the kind gesture towards them and promised that they will not let the government down. He added that they will utilize the inputs received to increase production and contribute their own quota towards food security in the Delta State.
In another development, other beneficiaries at Egbokodo Itsekiri in Warri South LGA, Ughewu-Iyede in Isoko North LGA and Owa-Alero in Ika North-East LGA were full of joy and praises for the State Government as they received various quantities and types of agricultural inputs to support their farming activities. The agricultural inputs received as grants ranged from poultry feeds to fish feeds, to day old chicks to fish juveniles, and pig rations etc.
At Egbokodo-Itsekiri, 40 beneficiaries received 480 bags of fish feeds, 12000 fish juveniles, lime and medicaments. At Owa-Alero, 50 beneficiaries received 240 bags of fish feed, 6000 juveniles, 390 bags of poultry feeds 2250 day old chicks and medicaments. At Ughewu-Iyede in Isoko North LGA, 50 beneficiaries received 260 bags of Poultry feeds, 240 bags of fish feeds, 170 bags of compounded pig ration, 1500 day old chicks, 6000 juveniles, medicaments, insecticides, lime etc.
The total of 610 farmers are expected to benefit in the current cycle of support bringing total number of beneficiaries to 4250. All 13000 targeted beneficiaries are expected to be reached in course of the programme.
