NOSDRA DG disburses N150m to Rivers farmers under Back to Farm programme

From Isaac Job, Uyo

The Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engr Chukwuemeka Woke, has disbursed N150 million to support farmers in a Rivers community under the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s Back to Farm programme, part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking to journalists at the weekend in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, during a routine inspection, Woke said 300 farmers benefitted from the programme in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State.

He said the farmers’ empowerment will boost food security and support small-scale farmers in the area.

He explained that the beneficiaries, comprising 200 women, party supporters, aides to the former chairman, and social media aides, could not contain their excitement as they smiled home.

“The initiative aims to aid small-scale farmers in the LGA by providing financial support to rent portions of land, purchase staple crops, and cover the costs of clearing and weeding their farmlands.

“This, in turn, is expected to facilitate a bountiful harvest by the end of the year.”

At the Isolo Community Distribution Centre, Woke emphasised that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Back to Farm initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“The goal is to empower these farmers so that by December, they can harvest their produce, especially cassava, and produce garri, which they can sell and make hundreds of thousands of naira,” he said.

Woke further explained that Emohua people are known to be subsistence farmers, and at the beginning of each year, they prepare to return to their farms.

“For some local farmers, it is a financial burden to secure parcels of land to farm on, which can cost N10,000 or more.

“Additionally, they need to pay for clearing and weeding their farmlands at least twice before harvesting.

“The true essence of empowerment is empowering people for a cause, for survival, for sustainability, and that is what the Renewed Hope Initiative stands for.

“The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and contribute to the overall food security of the state.”

He said some of the beneficiaries expressed their commitment to using the grants effectively, adding that the support will positively influence their lives as farmers and contribute to the overall development of the state’s agricultural sector.

Uchechukwu Otuonu, one of the beneficiaries, said he was grateful to be part of the benefiting group of farmers.

“I am truly grateful to be among those receiving this gesture, as such assistance is rare. I pray that God replenishes the sources of this support.

“I assure the organisers that we will utilise this grant judiciously.”