23 December 2008
Lagos — Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has flagged-off sale of the "Quick Win" agricultural produce of the state Farmers 'Support Programme.
Uduaghan assured that "the state will not only be self-sufficient in food production, but be in a position to produce enough for the export market."
Speaking at Orerokpe, headquarters of Okpe Local Government Area, Uduaghan, represented by his Deputy, Professor Amos Utuama, SAN, said his administration inaugurated the Committee on Youth Empowerment through Agriculture and Farmers' Support Programme, to ensure adequate food security and simultaneous creation of a pool of successor generation of farmers from unemployed youths in the state.
He said a total of 450 youths are currently undergoing training at Songhai Delta, on various aspects of agriculture, while 4,000 peasant farmers have so far been empowered to produce more food.
Uduaghan reiterated his administration's total commitment to re-introduce the commodity boards when the food produce floods themarkets, in order to absorb the excess produce and stabilise prices.
Earlier in an address, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Ogaranya Tabowei, commended Uduaghan's efforts towards uplifting the fortunes of peasant farmers and unemployed youths in the state.
He also enjoined all the beneficiaries of the Youth Empowerment through Agriculture and Farmers Support Programme toreciprocate the state government's gesture in ensuring the continuityof the programme for the benefit of all Deltans.
Highlights of the ceremony was the inspection of the variousagricultural produce displayed by the beneficiaries by the DeputyGovernor. Among the items displayed were pigs, fish, yam, poultryproduce and vegetables.
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