Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the people of Rivers state, particularly women, to embrace agriculture as a means to counteract the rising cost of living and ensure food security for the state.
Governor Fubara announced that agriculture would be a top priority in the 2025 budget. This he said would help the government to advance its agricultural policies for the benefit of the state residents.
Speaking at Government House, Port Harcourt, during a solidarity visit from the Women in Farming and Agro Allied Support Network (WIFAASN) on Monday, Governor Fubara, represented by the Rivers State Head of Service, George Nweake, emphasised that the administration’s agricultural policies are designed to alleviate the hardships faced by citizens and are ready for implementation.
Nweake stated that the government is committed to prioritising agriculture in the upcoming budget to achieve its agricultural policy goals. These policies, he said, are intended to genuinely improve the lives of the citizens.
“The agriculture policies of the government have already been perfected, waiting for the time of execution and implementation,” he stated.
“The main target of next year’s budget is agriculture. But, we will not give it to people who don’t have farms. We will not deal with portfolio farmers. Those that will come with jackets are not the farmers we are looking for.
“We will not throw it in the air for the fastest person to catch it. No. If the best person in farming is a lame person, he will get it. Even if a sprinter is there, the sprinter will not be able to reach it.”
He noted that this aligns with the Renewed Hope Initiative pet projects by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. These projects, the “Agricultural Support Programme” and “Every Home a Garden,” aim to support women farmers nationwide and strengthen the agricultural sector.
He remarked, “Before now, our place, Rivers and Bayelsa (States), we were known for oil palm production, which is rooted in agriculture. Every part of Rivers State supports that and each of us had palm fruits in our places, and that has been neglected over the years.”
He highlighted the various agricultural products thriving in Rivers State, including fishing opportunities in almost every local government area and an array of neglected farm produce and livestock.
“I think almost every local government area has rivers where they fish. We also have every farm produce and livestock which, over the years, we have neglected,” he remarked.
“Again, there was research done about ‘Rivers State Without Petroleum’, and we see that the Abua and Ahoada-West areas are noted for fruits. We have fruits everywhere; but, their fruits are unique. You talk of plantain: Etche, Omoku are noted for plantain; but, they are not in the market.
“I am happy that you have come to understand that the way forward is for us to first take agriculture seriously, and then, the rest will be history; Rivers State will be transformed.
“Imagine a situation where every person here can produce one bag of garri. The impact it will have on our nation will be huge.
“You are all aware that there is even a project by the Federal Government, the pet project of Her Excellency, the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu geared towards women having their own gardens to support women farmers nationwide to strengthen the agriculture sector of the economy. I urge you to key into the initiative.”
He commended the members of WIFAASN for their determination to venture into agriculture and ensure food sufficiency in the state. He urged them to organise themselves and reach out to the Ministry of Agriculture to become part of the government’s agricultural initiative.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, expressed gratitude to the organization’s members for their visit, noting that it reflects their commitment and dedication to the welfare of the state.
Kii highlighted that Governor Fubara is diligently working to develop the state’s agricultural sector. He mentioned that this commitment is evidenced by the recent approval of the state’s participation in the special Agro Processing Zone Project, which will commence soon.
“A lot of you are aware of the policy plan of His Excellency, and in terms of agriculture, at the different fora, he has continuously insisted that agriculture is one of his focus areas,” he stated.
“His Excellency is working tirelessly to ensure that the agriculture sector is developed. A lot of you are aware that quite recently, His Excellency approved that the State should participate in the special Agro Processing Zone Project which is going to kick off very soon.
“And you know that the delegation from the African Development Bank and the Federal Government had been in the states to access the project site.
So, it shows that this is a government that has the interest of the people at heart in terms of agriculture.”
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Roseline Adawari Uranta, acknowledged the concerns of the governor, his deputy, and the governor’s wife regarding the challenges faced by the people of Rivers State.
She emphasised that it is in response to these challenges that Governor Fubara has prioritised agriculture, health, and education in his administration.
Uranta also recognized the concerns of women about the high cost of living, noting their role as critical stakeholders in the family.
She urged them to support the governor and his administration with their prayers to help ensure their success.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of Women in Farming and Agro Allied Support Network (WIFAASN), Mrs. Glory Coker, explained that their visit was to inform the governor of their intention to transition to mechanised farming to ensure food sufficiency in the state.
She mentioned that this move would greatly reduce the cost of living in the state and requested government assistance to achieve their goals.
“We are already farmers, but we aim to transition to mechanised farming in the state. For instance, if the price of an egg is N5000 we want to bring it down to N2,500. If garri is N5,000 in the market, we want to bring it down to N1,200. So, we need the support of the government.”
The State Coordinator of the Women in Farming and Agro Allied Support Network (WIFAASN), Mrs. Ihuoma Eze, announced that the state chapter of the organisation will be launched on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
She also appealed for logistical support to ensure the success of the programme.
