By Wilbet Ijeoma
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has empowered 70 farmers in Okrama community, Isoko North Local Government Area, with agricultural inputs worth millions of naira under the D-CARES/FADAMA intervention programme.
The beneficiaries, comprising 30 poultry farmers, 30 fish farmers and 10 cassava farmers, received day-old chicks, fish fingerlings, improved cassava stems, fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, animal feeds and input vouchers to boost agricultural production and improve household incomes.
The intervention, which took place on November 5, 2026, at St. Luke’s Anglican Church Hall, Ukpude, followed a two-year delay due to the difficult terrain and inaccessible road linking Okrama community during the rainy season.
Representing the Governor, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, congratulated the beneficiaries on their patience, describing the intervention as a demonstration of the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to extending the benefits of its MORE Agenda to every community, irrespective of location.
Ekedayen, who is also Chairman of the State Steering Committee of D-CARES, said the 70 beneficiaries would increase the number of farmers supported under the programme in Delta State to 18,010, from the previous 17,940.
He described the intervention as a strategic effort to improve food production, strengthen household economies and empower rural farmers, particularly women.
The Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to utilise the inputs judiciously, while calling on the community to support the Governor and other APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of D-CARES, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, said the FADAMA intervention was designed to strengthen food security by expanding agricultural production and diversifying farming activities in rural communities.
She explained that the inclusion of poultry and fish farming alongside cassava cultivation would create more opportunities for farmers, particularly young people, while improving food availability and household incomes.
Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator of FADAMA and Technical Head of D-CARES RA2, Therese Omame, said the intervention was delayed because of the community’s difficult road access during the rainy season.
She expressed delight that the project team had overcome the challenges to deliver the inputs, urging beneficiaries to put them to productive use.
In a goodwill message, an Okrama community leader, Mr. Uyero Erarawewho, described the intervention as the first of its kind in the community, saying it had restored hope, dignity and productivity among the people.
Some beneficiaries also expressed gratitude to the Governor. Rev. Daniel Isaiah, a poultry farmer, commended the administration for reaching the remote community but appealed for urgent rehabilitation of its deplorable access road.
He also dismissed claims of political interference in the selection process, explaining that families across the community were represented.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Glory Augustine, praised the Governor for the empowerment and expressed confidence in his re-election.
The Commissioner led the presentation of the agricultural inputs to the beneficiaries, who pledged to utilise them effectively to improve their farming activities.
Also present were the Head of Operations, D-CARES Coordinating Unit, Mr. Christopher Oyenike; Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Charles Iyoha; and other D-CARES officials.