The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a training program for 364 young farmers under the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project in Rivers State. The initiative aims to boost agribusiness opportunities in the region by equipping participants with the skills needed to establish successful enterprises.
During the orientation program in Port Harcourt, NDDC’s Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Winifred Madume, encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace their roles as future agribusiness entrepreneurs. She explained that the Federal Government is jointly funding the LIFE-ND project through a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with additional support from the NDDC and state governments.
The program covers nine states in the Niger Delta: Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta, and Ondo (funded by IFAD), while Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers states receive funding from the NDDC.
Madume emphasized that LIFE-ND is designed to foster income generation, food security, and job creation, particularly among rural youth and women. “This project aims to create 38,250 agripreneurs using an incubation model,” she said. Under this model, beneficiaries are paired with experienced agribusiness entrepreneurs who will mentor them until they gain the skills to run their own enterprises.
Speaking at the event, the National Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Abiodun Sanni, highlighted the project’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector through skill development and innovation.
“This orientation training, supported by IFAD, the NDDC, and state governments, underscores a collective effort to revolutionize agriculture in the Niger Delta,” Sanni said. He pointed out that the training targets youth, women-headed households, and persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity in the sector.
“Fostering youth inclusion in agriculture is critical for sustainable development, job creation, and food security,” he continued. “Through this program, we aim to build the capacity of young agripreneurs, helping them integrate into the agricultural value chain, drive innovation, and contribute to rural economic growth.”
Sanni stressed that the LIFE-ND project is not just about providing financial resources but about empowering young people to take control of their futures, support community development, and create lasting economic impacts in their regions.
The Rivers State Project Coordinator, Mr. Loveday Itatat, congratulated the 364 beneficiaries, noting that they were chosen from a highly competitive pool of 30 incubators and 1,568 applicants. He explained that before the orientation, a comprehensive sensitization campaign was conducted in 20 communities across five Local Government Areas in Rivers State.
Itatat emphasized that the LIFE-ND project seeks to transform the rural economy by ensuring prosperity and equitable benefits for local populations. “The project is designed to enhance income, food security, and job creation for over 38,250 rural youth and women in the Niger Delta through a sustainable agricultural incubation model,” he said.
The LIFE-ND project aligns with broader national efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy through agriculture. With agribusiness seen as a critical tool for addressing unemployment and food insecurity, initiatives like this are expected to contribute significantly to rural development.
By pairing young farmers with experienced mentors, the program seeks to create a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs capable of driving innovation, increasing productivity, and expanding market access. The long-term goal is to develop a more self-sufficient and sustainable agricultural sector in the Niger Delta, ultimately improving livelihoods and economic stability across the region.
