The Federal Government has launched an agricultural initiative, “ProjectEarnFromTheSoil”, in Bayelsa, aimed at empowering smallholder farmers, fisherfolk, agribusinesses, and coastal communities across the South-South region.
According to Hon. Gift Johnbull, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, “Bayelsa’s capacity for rice production is a gold mine waiting to be fully realised. With the right support and empowerment of our women, we can see Bayelsa emerge as a rice production powerhouse, ensuring food security and boosting our economy.”
The project, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate, aims to cultivate 500,000 hectares of land, promote year-round farming, and encourage the consumption of locally grown foods. Johnbull emphasized the importance of empowering women, stating, “Through this initiative, we aim to directly benefit 500,000 smallholder farmers, fisherfolk, agribusinesses, and coastal communities in the South-South region.”
The initiative involves the domestication of the National Women Economic Empowerment Policy (WEE Policy) and the launch of “ProjectEarnFromTheSoil”, designed to integrate women into the agricultural sector and unlock the state’s vast potential.
Various stakeholders, including government officials and representatives from organizations, expressed commitment to the project’s success, recognizing its potential to create jobs, enhance food security, and boost the economy.