In a significant move to bolster local agricultural practices and enhance food security, the Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Chukwuemeka Woke, disbursed N150 million in grants to over 300 farmers in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State. This initiative, tagged the Renewed Hope Back to Farm Support Initiative, aims to empower small-scale farmers, predominantly women, with the financial resources needed to cultivate their lands and contribute to the region’s agricultural output. The grant distribution, held in the Isiodo community, saw each beneficiary receiving N50,000 to aid in land rental, purchase of staple crops, and clearing and weeding of their farmlands. This direct financial injection seeks to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by smallholder farmers, particularly at the beginning of the farming season.
Woke emphasized the alignment of this initiative with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Back to Farm initiative championed by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The overarching goal is to empower farmers to achieve a bountiful harvest by the end of the year, focusing on the production of cassava and its processed form, garri, a staple food in the region. This empowerment strategy not only aims to enhance food security but also provides a pathway for farmers to generate substantial income through the sale of their produce. By providing this financial support, the initiative seeks to create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem within the community, enabling farmers to invest in their farms and reap the economic benefits.
The NOSDRA DG highlighted the significance of this initiative as a true embodiment of empowerment, focusing on providing resources for survival and sustainability. He underscored the importance of supporting the Emohua people, known for their persistent farming practices, by easing the financial constraints they face in securing and preparing farmland. This support, Woke explained, is crucial in ensuring that farmers can effectively cultivate their lands and contribute to the overall food security of the state. Furthermore, by removing the initial financial hurdles, the initiative aims to motivate more people to engage in farming activities, thereby boosting agricultural productivity in the region.
The grant disbursement event was attended by prominent political figures, further highlighting the importance of the initiative. Dr. Benibo George, representing the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, lauded the program as a true definition of human development and a crucial support for the local economy, the backbone of which is farming. He urged the beneficiaries to utilize the funds wisely and encouraged the continuation of this impactful program. Tony Okocha, the State APC Chairman, echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude to the initiative’s coordinator and acknowledging the support of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He emphasized the significant role of agriculture in the state’s economy and encouraged the beneficiaries, especially the women, to make the most of the grants. The presence of representatives from both major political parties underscored the bipartisan support for the initiative and its potential to positively impact the community.
This initiative fits into the broader federal government’s efforts to revitalize the agricultural sector and empower small-scale farmers across the nation. By providing direct financial assistance, the Renewed Hope Back to Farm Support Initiative aims to stimulate agricultural activities, enhance food production, and improve the livelihoods of farmers. This localized approach, demonstrated in Emohua, serves as a potential model for broader implementation, targeting specific communities and addressing their unique agricultural needs. The focus on empowering women farmers also addresses the critical role they play in agricultural production and food security within the community.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the financial support, recognizing its potential to significantly improve their farming activities. Uchechukwu Otuonu, one of the recipients, spoke of the rarity of such gestures and expressed her commitment to utilizing the grant effectively. This direct feedback from the beneficiaries underscores the initiative’s immediate impact and the sense of hope it has instilled within the farming community. The successful implementation of the initiative in Emohua holds promise for replication in other areas, contributing to a more robust and sustainable agricultural sector in Rivers State and beyond.
