THE Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Val Arenyeka has tasked Deltans to take responsibility towards transforming agriculture and ensuring food security.
Arenyeka stated this during the celebration of the 2024 World Food Day, with the theme “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future” at the Cenotaph, Asaba.
Areyenka said the annual event which is celebrated worldwide every 16th day of October offers a platform for stakeholders to evaluate the nature and extent of world food prospects and problems and to put in place measures at the sub-national, national and international levels to end hunger, malnutrition, poverty and ensure food security.
He said with the definite global hunger, security issues, climate change and distortion in supply chains which have together hampered progress in food security, there was a need for government, private companies, financial institutions, farmers, civil society organizations, academia, women and youth to support farming in the state.
He revealed that the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori since assumption to office has empowered 6,000 farmers through the Delta Cares programme and another round of support coming via the AUDA-NEPAD Programme with 2,000 farmers as beneficiaries, adding that the forthcoming dry season farming was another project in perspective.
The Commissioner urged Deltans to cross-fertilize ideas, learn new approaches to farming techniques and increase food production in the state where the right to food for a better life and better future is guaranteed.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Sir Austin Oghoro urged Deltans to engage in farming, irrespective of what they do as a means of livelihood as agriculture was the sure way to overcoming the current economic hardship in the country.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme has ascribed climate change, low level of technology adoption, unwarranted attack on farmlands by unscrupulous elements, distortions in input supply chain and absence of farmer’s education as some of the challenges to food security.
He, however, said machineries have been put in place to ensure that farmers conducted their businesses without let or hindrances.
He said his administration was committed to encouraging smart agriculture and implementing the Delta State Government Livestock Management Law and steady supply of agricultural inputs to farmers e.g. seedlings, seeds, agro chemicals, feeds and fertilizers.
