Over 300 farmers and aspiring agripreneurs in Delta Central have received essential agricultural starter packs following a two-day Agriculture and Food Security Training and Empowerment Programme facilitated by Senator Ede Dafinone.
Held at the Petroleum Training Institute Conference Centre, Effurun, the programme provided hands-on training in crop cultivation and fish farming, equipping participants with the skills and tools needed to launch agribusiness ventures. Each trainee received a starter pack tailored to their chosen field—high-yield seedlings, fertilizers, and pest control chemicals for vegetable farming, while fish farming trainees received feeds, fingerlings, and pond treatment kits.
Senator Dafinone emphasized his commitment to tackling unemployment and food insecurity through agribusiness, urging beneficiaries to put their training into practice. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. With these starter packs, you are not just farmers but entrepreneurs who will contribute to food production and economic growth,” he said.
The training, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, featured experts who provided guidance on modern farming techniques. Sessions covered soil management, irrigation, pest control, and market integration for vegetable farming, while fish farming trainees learned about pond construction, water quality management, and breeding techniques.
Master trainers, including Obasi Sunday and Raheem Adejoke Arike, led sessions on vegetable farming, while aquaculture expert Ogechi Happiness Ewa trained participants on fishpond management and profit-maximization strategies. Beneficiaries expressed excitement over the programme’s impact, with many seeing it as a turning point for their agricultural ambitions.
Olorogun Ejemudaro Salubi, Head of Projects for Senator Dafinone, announced plans for post-training monitoring to ensure participants effectively utilize their starter packs. The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s national strategy to boost food production and employment, with stakeholders anticipating a rise in agribusiness activities in Delta Central.
