DELTA ACTING GOV IDENTIFIES INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE AS A SURE WAY TO FIGHT POVERTY

The diversification of the economy has been identified as a sure way to tackle poverty, create wealth and bring prosperity to the people.

Delta State Acting Governor Barrister  Kingsley Otuaro stated this in Asaba when the Chief of Party, Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment team, Dr. Adam Saffer paid him a courtesy visit.

Barrister Otuaro, said the prosperity for all Deltans mantra of the Okowa administration was anchored on proactive steps taken by the present administration to create jobs for economically weak Deltans.

The steps according to the Acting Governor included the skill acquisition programme, the small and medium scale micro credit loan scheme and empowerment of those living below poverty line.

He commended the representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for extending its wealth creation programme to Delta and gave an assurance that government would leverage on it to create more jobs in the agricultural sector.

Earlier, the Chief of Party USAID, Dr. Adam Saffer said they were in the state to introduce the ‘Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment’ to the Delta State government.

Dr. Saffer, outlined the overview of the project to include agribusiness, agrifinance and agripolicy which according to him will stimulate private sector investment in agriculture.

He said five target value chains in the project include maize, rice, soyabeans, cowpea and acquaculture, pointing out that focus would be on Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger States.
Dr. Saffer called on the focal States to key into the programme.