The Delta State Government has pledged continued support for efforts geared towards boosting food production with the attendant enhancement of the purchasing power of the farmers.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Godfrey Enita, made the pledge on Tuesday in Asaba, at the celebration of the 2022 World Coconut Day.
Dr. Enita said government was investing in agriculture to ensure food security, create jobs and wealth in the agricultural sector, as well as diversify the state’s economy, describing coconut farming, being championed by the Delta State Coconut Development Program (DESCODEP) as was sure way to achieving the goals.
He urged Deltans to take advantage of the numerous benefits of coconut by keying into the trending coconut development initiative and charged DESCODEP to seek collaboration with the relevant national and global partners to make coconut farming less cumbersome and more viable.
In an address on the occasion, the State Coordinator of DESCODEP, Hon (Chief) Aneke Ifemeni, said the World Coconut Day, with the theme: ‘Building a Safe Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Coconut Community’, was celebrated in collaboration with the National Coconut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NACOPPMAN).
Hon Ifemeni, who is also a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agricultural Matters, said in less than one year of its existence DESCODEP had established coconut plantations in Onicha-Ukwuani, Utagba-Uno, Mbiri and Umuaja, while a nursery planted with 20,000 coconut seeds, which would be used to develop 100 hectares of coconut plantation in 2023, was in place at Onicha-Ukwuani, in Ndokwa West local government area.
The SSA commended the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for approving the establishment of DESCODEP, which he hoped would help him to finish strong and appealed to the Governor to consider upgrading the Program to an Agency in view of the remarkable progress so far recorded.
Hon Ifemeni said to make coconut farming more rewarding DESCODEP had adopted several attractive models, including Government/Community partnership model, Government/Family partnership model, Government/Individual partnership model and Government/Investor partnership model.
He thanked individuals, communities, cooperative societies and institutions who had made land available for the Program in different parts of the state, pointing out that over 2,000 farmers had been profiled to participate in the Program
In her remarks, the Chairman, National Coconut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NACOPPMAN), Evangelist Cordelia Anyangwu, said it was remarkable that Delta state had joined in the celebration of the World Coconut Day, expressing the hope that the state would meet the national target of 10,000 hectares of coconut plantation by the year 2027.
The event featured a paper presentation on Coconut Resourcefulness in Multiple Diversity and Wealth Creation by Hon Gloria Umukotete of Uriri Agribusiness and Environment Innovations, as well as goodwill messages, exhibition of coconut products, and cutting of coconut cake.
Dignitaries present included the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Benedict Agamah, the Omeogor of Asaba, Hon (Chief) Chinwe Monu, a Chief Research Officer, Nigerian Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Emoghene, among others.
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