Edo State residents, who have benefited from the Federal Government Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project, said the rural faming project has impacted on their lives and that of their families positively.
The LIFE-ND implemented rural farming projects in three Edo communities is being funded by the International Fund for e Development (IFAD)in collaboration with the Federal government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The IFAD/FG mission visited ten pens’ poultry facility constructed at Ugbineh in Ovia North East local government, two Hybrid gas kiln processors in Uteh in Ikpoba Okha local government and cassava processing facility and a large hectares of cassava farm at Obiogba community in Orhionmwon local government area of Edo.
Speaking during the visit, a poultry farmer, Mrs Grace Nwaozuzu, 37, who’s physically challenged and an incubator in the project, said the intervention has lifted her family out of poverty.
She said there were lots of untapped potentials in poultry farming in the state.
“I started this business in 2022 after undergoing the training and has expanded stocking to between 250 to 350 day-old-chicks in six circles of two months each in a year.
“I make between N180,000 and N200,000 per one circle of stock after removing the cost of feeds and other expenses.
“Within two years, myself and my husband bought a small car which we use in making supplies to our customers.”
She said she has off-takers who come to buy off her birds, adding that she has a ready market for her business.
“We can conveniently pay our children’s school fees and settle other bills. I have trained over 10 persons from Ugbineh community on poultry farming under the project.
A fish farmer at Uteh community fish clusters, Mrs Efe Ehanire, 40, and beneficiary of IFAD/LIFE-ND fish processors, said the project has made fish processing very easy for her.
She said she has graduated from using charcoal and firewood to using hybrid gas kiln to process her fish and package same for sale.
“We are about 32 women using these facilities to make a living and it has helped us to build confidence in ourselves and also contribute to paying bills in our various homes,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the mission, the Agribusiness Promotion coordinator, IFAD/LIFE-ND project, Mrs Anthonia Esenwa, said the mission from Rome were in Edo to see how the funds released for the project has been utilized.
“We want to achieve global visibility of our projects. We have been sending reports to them but they want to see evidence, that is why they are in Nigeria.
“Four communities in each state are benefitting from the project and Edo State has chosen fish, poultry, rice and cassava. So, we are showing the mission fish, poultry, rice and cassava,” she said.
On his part, Mr John Omoruyi, Acting State Coordinator, said the project has over 28 infrastructural facilities constructed by the mission.
According to him, about 2,250 people have benefited from the project in Edo.
“The mission visited just three out of over 28 rural projects executed in Edo and from the testimonies of the beneficiaries, the projects have impacted positively on the beneficiaries.
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