By Our Reporter
The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project said it has so far trained 1,033 incubatees out of the 4,250 targeted in Edo in various agribusiness since the inception of the initiative in 2020.
LIFE-ND is being funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)in collaboration with the Federal government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),
Jude Ekpu, the Edo coordinator of the project, disclosed this at an engagement session with media stakeholders on Thursday in Benin.
Ekpu, represented by Mr Benedict Akhamie, the state communication officer, noted that the project was designed to address poverty, boost food security, create jobs for youths and women in rural communities
Ekpu said that the project adopted an incubation model of training where youth and women learn under the tutelage of experienced agribusiness owners.
He added that about 116 trainers were engaged to train the beneficiaries on four priority commodities namely cassava, rice, poultry and fishery.
He said the capacities of the participants were developed on record and book-keeping, agricultural entrepreneurship, agricultural enterprise development, food and nutrition, environment and climate change.
He noted that the target beneficiaries were unemployed and under-employed youth who are between 18 and 35 years as well as unemployed women who are heads of household.
He further explained that the project operates in nine states of the Niger Delta and was planned to be implemented over a period of 12 years.
“With a financing gap of six years in the first instance and additional six years to be financed by other partners or an additional IFAD loan.
“The project is implemented in 10 local government areas per state and 10 communities in each local government areas, giving a total of 100 communities in Edo State alone.
He listed the participating Local Government Areas to Akoko Edo, Esan North-East, Esan South-West, Esan West, Etsako Central, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia North-East, Owan West and Uhunmwonde,” Ekpu said.
Ekpu, however, solicited support from the media practitioners in promoting the activities of the initiative and ensuring wider visibility of project.
