To increase agricultural production in Delta State, over 140 farmers got over N14 million, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and knapsack sprayers.
The recipients of the presents from the state government were hopeful that the gift would significantly lessen their pain, especially when it came to borrowing money from banks to increase output.
Favour Melekwe and Osashieme Roland, who spoke on behalf of the recipients, asserted that with government assistance, they would produce high-quality goods in large quantities without taking out loans from financial organizations.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in the person of his chief of staff Festus Agas, handed out the check, fertilisers, and other farm inputs while pleading with the recipients not to sell their gifts.
He said, “The Primary aim of every government is to make life better for its citizens, and that is what my administration has done.
“For over seven years, I have kept my promise to empower youths in agriculture. My administration has established over 12, 000 entrepreneurs, created direct jobs of over 223,000 and over 1, 300 indirect jobs
“I beg you not to sell these items given to you today because we have had a situation where some people sell their items. So, I urge you to make use of these items judiciously.”
Prof. Eric Eboh, the state’s director of job and wealth creation, revealed in his remarks that each beneficiary received farm inputs like as agrochemicals, knapsack sprayers, fertilisers, and monetary assistance of N100,000 for farm labor.
