The International Fund for Agriculture, IFAD and Livelihood Improvement Family Enteprise for Niger Delta, LIVE-ND yesterday, distributed farm inputs worth several millions of naira to trained beneficiaries.
Performing the distribution, the State Project Coordinator, Dr. Rowland Uchenna Onyeizu said the beneficiaries are receiving the inputs because they have been trained and “engaged as incubates (trainees) who are capable of handling agricultural inputs businesses on your agricultural entrepreneurship ability”.
Dr. Onyeizu expressed his happiness that they will use the inputs wisely for the empowerment of themselves and their families, having been successfully trained.
The Abia LIFE-ND boss encouraged the beneficiaries, “it is now a serious business and it behooves on you to make something out of it. Keep accurate book keeping methods and record all expenses.
According to him, the project will come to impact their progress in terms of records and revenue so that they will be further assisted in future, stating that the beneficiaries were also trained on digital marketing.
Also addressing the incubates, a Director in the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Chinyere Nwaogwugwu congratulated the beneficiaries, warning them not to misuse the inputs given to them , but use it to enrich themselves and their families.
Addressing the beneficiaries too, Mr. Emma Ochiefue, a representative of the National Project Coordinator, IFAD/LIFE-ND Engr. Sanni Abiodun advised the beneficiaries “Don’t sell the items as it will be you that will be losing”, while the State Agro-business Promotion Officer, SABPO G. C. Chukwuekezie explained that the distribution is the first phase of the exercise after their training that lasted between two weeks and month.
He informed that the equipment is enough to provide them means of empowerment.
Explain further, the Procurement Officer, Uche Onyemachi itemized the inputs to include agro-chemical products that include fertilizers and rain boots, haulage trucks, computers, wheel barrows, chicken de-feathering machines, among others.
72 beneficiaries received the inputs which are in the area of palm oil, rice, cassava and poultry production, among others. This brings the number to a total of 650 beneficiaries, generally.
