Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved N1.6 billion to boost rural farming initiatives, expanding support for farmers across the state.
The State office of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project disclosed this in Benin City, revealing that over N500 million has already been disbursed to empower 1,797 farmers.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, LIFE-ND State Coordinator, John Omoruyi, highlighted the significance of the governor’s financial commitment.
According to Omoruyi, the N1.6 billion allocation will enable the project to extend its reach to the remaining eight local government areas in the State that were previously uncovered.
Prior to this, the initiative, according to him, had only been active in 10 out of the state’s 18 local government areas.
“Since the assumption of office by Governor Okpebholo, LIFE-ND has disbursed over N500 million to 1,797 women and youth farmers in just three months,” Omoruyi stated.
Adding that, “With his benevolence, the governor approved N1.6 billion to ensure the remaining local government areas benefit from the program. This funding will also create an additional 2,000 jobs.”
He further explained that the LIFE-ND initiative is jointly funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the nine Niger Delta states, including Edo.
Omoruyi noted that State has distinguished itself among participating states, surpassing its 2024 target of 4,250 beneficiaries by reaching 4,360 individuals.
The project, as gathered by WorldClass247News, focuses on promoting rural economic growth, engaging women and youths in agribusiness, and supporting vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities (PWDs) and women-headed households.