NOSDRA DG Empowers Over 300 Farmers with N150 Million Grants in Rivers State
In a bid to enhance food security in Rivers State, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has disbursed N150 million in grants to over 300 farmers across the 14 wards of Emohua Local Government Area. The initiative, part of the Renewed Hope Back-to-Farm-Support Programme, aims to support small-scale farmers in the LGA by providing financial assistance to rent land, purchase seedlings, and cover costs associated with clearing and weeding their farmlands.
The beneficiaries, comprising 200 women and supporters across party lines, received N50,000 each, bringing smiles to their faces as they left the distribution event in Isiodo community, Emohua LGA. Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NOSDRA, Chukwuemeka Woke, emphasized that the programme is aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Back-to-Farm Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The NOSDRA DG noted that the primary objective of the initiative is to empower the farmers, particularly women and youth, so that by December, they can harvest their produce, especially cassava, and sell it to generate significant income. According to Woke, the programme seeks to alleviate the financial burden faced by many subsistent farmers in Emohua LGA, who struggle to secure land, clear, and weed their farmlands before harvesting.
“This initiative is not just about distributing grants; it’s about creating opportunities for survival, for sustainability, and for economic growth,” Woke explained. “We believe that by investing in agriculture, we are investing in the future of our state and the nation as a whole.”
The event attracted dignitaries from both the PDP and APC, including Dr. Benibo George, the PDP State Secretary, and Tony Okocha, the APC State Chairman. The two leaders commended the NOSDRA DG for his initiative and encouraged the beneficiaries to use the grants judiciously. They also emphasized the importance of agriculture in the state and the federal government’s efforts to boost the sector through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Back-to-Farm-Support Programme.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and promised to utilize the grants effectively. Uchechukwu Otuonu, one of the beneficiaries, assured the organizers that the support would have a positive impact on their lives as farmers. The NOSDRA DG’s commitment to empowering small-scale farmers in Emohua LGA is expected to contribute to the overall food security of the state and improve the livelihoods of many rural households.
As the programme continues to empower farmers across the state, NOSDRA’s efforts have sent a strong message about the importance of agriculture in driving economic growth and development. With this initiative, the agency has taken a significant step towards realizing the vision of the federal government to boost agricultural production and create opportunities for small-scale farmers across the country.
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