By Wilbet Ijeoma (NewsView)
There was excitement in Obionyeonicha, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, on Monday as 70 farmers received agricultural inputs under the Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES)/FADAMA programme of the state government.
The beneficiaries, comprising 30 cassava farmers and 40 poultry farmers, received support aimed at boosting food production, creating sustainable livelihoods and strengthening household incomes.
The empowerment exercise, held in Obionyeonicha community, was led by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman of the D-CARES State Steering Committee, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Speaking at the event, Ekedayen said the beneficiaries were selected through an objective and professional process, dismissing concerns about favouritism in the distribution of the intervention.
He said the programme reflected the administration’s commitment to empowering Deltans under its MORE Agenda.
“The selection was done objectively and professionally. Every Deltan has an opportunity to benefit from government programmes,” the Commissioner said.
Ekedayen explained that food security remained one of the major objectives of the intervention, stressing that increasing agricultural production would make food more available and affordable while putting more money in the pockets of farmers.
For the poultry beneficiaries, he said each farmer would receive 50 birds, describing the package as an opportunity that could generate substantial income when properly managed.
He urged the beneficiaries to reinvest their proceeds to expand their businesses and establish additional income streams.
The Commissioner also assured the cassava farmers that the stems supplied under the programme were improved varieties capable of delivering higher yields.
He encouraged them to multiply the stems and make them available to other farmers in their communities, saying such a practice would further expand food production and economic opportunities.
Ekedayen disclosed that 17,520 beneficiaries had so far been empowered under the programme, with 17 more communities expected to benefit in the current phase.
He also assured residents that the state government was committed to addressing other challenges confronting communities, following concerns raised over electricity supply in Obionyeonicha.
Congratulating the beneficiaries, he expressed optimism that the intervention would produce future millionaires if the inputs were properly utilised.
The State Coordinator of D-CARES, Dr. Patience Ogbewe, described the intervention as part of government’s deliberate effort to strengthen vulnerable households and promote economic resilience.
Ogbewe explained that D-CARES is a component of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), a World Bank-assisted programme.
According to her, FADAMA is responsible for the food-security component, supporting farmers to produce food, while other components provide cash transfers and support for vulnerable persons and artisans.
She disclosed that about 247,000 direct beneficiaries had so far been reached across Delta State under the wider D-CARES intervention, with their dependants also benefiting indirectly.
She urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the inputs, noting that their proper utilisation would determine the overall impact of the programme.
Earlier, the State Project Coordinator, FADAMA, and Technical Head, D-CARES RA2, Mrs. Therese Omame, congratulated the 70 beneficiaries.
She said the D-CARES team had previously visited Owah-Abbi, Umukwata and Ezhionum, adding that Obionyeonicha was the third community reached in the current phase.
“Your long wait is over,” Omame told the beneficiaries, urging them to use the intervention to improve their families and communities.
She noted that neighbouring communities, including Obi-Ogene, were also awaiting their turn to benefit.
Community, Beneficiaries Applaud Intervention
Speaking on behalf of the community, High Chief Igba Utagba thanked the state government and the D-CARES team for bringing the empowerment programme to Obionyeonicha.
He pledged the community’s support for government policies while appealing for more empowerment opportunities to enable additional residents to benefit.
One of the beneficiaries, Simon Uti, a poultry farmer, described the intervention as evidence that the government was responsive to the needs of the people.
Uti said the selection process was fair, noting that adequate publicity had been made before beneficiaries were selected.
The event climaxed with the presentation of agricultural inputs and vouchers to representatives of the beneficiary groups.
Mr. Chika Appeal, representing Ngozi Cassava Farmers; Mrs. Henrietta Ekeruche, representing Godstime Poultry Farmers and New Onicha Poultry Farmers; and Mrs. Bridget Ugbe, representing Otu Ofu Obi Cassava Farmers, received the inputs on behalf of their groups.
The beneficiaries pledged to use the support judiciously to improve their livelihoods and support their families.
Ekedayen, while urging the beneficiaries to reciprocate the government’s gesture, also called on residents to support Governor Oborevwori, President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The event was attended by the Head of Operations, D-CARES Coordinating Unit, Mr. Christopher Oyenike; PRO, Ministry of Economic Planning, Mrs. Ese Obote; Head of Agriculture, Ukwuani Local Government Council, Chief Roland Eke, who represented the Council Chairman; community leaders, including High Chiefs Isaac Odika and Igba Utagba, and officials of the D-CARES office.
The programme featured the presentation of agricultural inputs, community goodwill messages, media interviews and a group photograph.