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Rivers spends N718.8m on FADAMA III projects

By on July 24, 2014

The Rivers State Government has said it spent N718,759,260.96 to empower farmers in the state under the FADAMA III projects between 2009 and 2013.

It said it has also earmarked another N100 million for another empowerment programme: State Employment and Expenditure for Opportunity and Result (SEEFOR) funded by FADAMA III project and run by the state Ministry of Agriculture.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Emmanuel Chindah, made the disclosure yesterday at the commencement of SEEFOR projects in Port Harcourt.

He said under the FADAMA III project, 1,168 FADAMA Users Cooperative group and 120 FADAMA Community Associations in the state had benefitted.

Giving a breakdown of the N718.8 million spent on the projects, Chindah said N178.2 million went to crop farmers, N131.1 million to livestock farmers and N140 million to fish farmers.

Agro forestry, according to him, got NN27 million, crop processors (cassava, oil palm and maize) N80 million while N161.7 million went to rural infrastructure (farm roads grading, storage facilities/market stores, culverts among others.)

He said as a result of the state’s funding of the projects, food production in the state recorded notable increase between 2010 and 2014.
Chindah said: “Under rural infrastructure, 38 boreholes were constructed in 19 communities in the state, 200 tonnes capacity cold room built in 18 communities, 360 market shades with water and modern toilet facilities constructed in 18 communities while 75 kilometres of roads was also constructed in 15 communities.

“For evacuation of farm produce from the farm gate to the market in the urban areas, a total number of 40 tricycles were procured and distributed to 25 youth groups across the state for rural transportation whereas a total number of 10 out-board engines and 10 boats were also distributed to Fadama Users Groups (FUGs) in the riverine communities for artisanal fishing activities.”

Chindah also stated:  “Household incomes of participating groups have also increased from N125,000 at baseline to N165,074.70 per annum according to a study carried out by the World Bank.”
On the SEEFOR projects inaugurated yesterday, Chindah disclosed that the state was disbursing N29 million to 33 cooperative groups made up of 10 farmers each in the first tranche.

He said the state would spend N100 million on the SEEFOR programme which would span five years.

 

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