Edo Disburses N500m To 1,700 Farmers Under LIFE-ND Project
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin
Over 1,700 farmers across 10 local government areas in Edo State have benefited from the sum of N500 million approved by the state government through the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project.
The State Coordinator of the project, Mr. John Omoruyi, disclosed this in Benin City, in an audience with the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ).
He stated that the empowerment of rural farmers was made possible by the approval of a total of N1.6 billion for the programme by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He explained that the balance of the approved N1.6 billion would be used to extend the initiative to farmers in the remaining eight local government areas yet to be covered.
“With his benevolence, Governor Okpebholo approved the sum of N1.6 billion to ensure that the remaining eight local government areas benefit from the project,” Omoruyi stated.
He noted that the programme is funded by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the nine Niger Delta states, including Edo.
Highlighting Edo State’s remarkable performance among participating states, Omoruyi emphasized that the project aims to promote rural economic development, engage women and youths in agriculture, and encourage agribusiness.
The State Coordinator further explained that the initiative targets youths between the ages of 18 and 35, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), and women-headed households, among others.
He added that in 2024, the state exceeded its target of 4,250 beneficiaries, reaching 4,360.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Patrick Ochoga, commended the state government and LIFE-ND management for investing in rural youth and women empowerment.
Ochoga stated that the visit was aimed at fostering collaboration with the agency, not only in disseminating information about its activities but also in exploring ways members of the chapel could benefit from the programme.
