Creating Aquaponics Food Security and Sustainability in Delta State, Nigeria
Successive government in the country both the military and the civilian have evolved one programme or the other all intended to ensure the sustainability of food production not only for domestic consumption, but also for export, particularly when considered against the backdrop that until the discovering of oil in commercial quantity, Agriculture was the mainstay of the country and a major source of revenue.
Such programmes include; the "Operation Feed the Nation" enunciated by Obasanjo regime in 1976, "Green Revolution" by Shehu Shagari's administration in 1980 and Directorate of Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure DFRI, conceptualized by General Ibrahim Babangida all aimed at ensuring food sufficiency and security in the country.In Delta State , the Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan's administration since its inception on May 29, 2007 has been making conscious and deliberate effort to address the age long problem of food insecurity, in our dear country, Nigeria , particularly in Delta State.
Right from his campaign days, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, said if voted into power, his administration would run three main agenda of Peace and Security, Infrastructure and Human Capital Development.
In pursuance of his human capital development, the Governor on December 14, 2007 at Koko, launched the State Micro-Credit Programme with Dr. Antonia Ifeanyi Ashiedu as his Executive Assistant on the programme. On 17th and 19th of December 2007, the programme was launched at Otu-Jeremi and Kwale respectively. Suffice to say that the programme was launched in the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
The programme, which was launched amidst pump and ceremony, about ten months ago, is already yielding results. 952 groups and over thirteen thousand seven hundred and ninty seven persons under about one thousand cluster groups have benefited from the benevolent programme of the Governor Uduaghan's administration. Some Deltans who were hitherto unemployed and grappling with poverty have taken advantage of this laudable programme to be self employed and are already striving to live above poverty.
A large percentage of the beneficiaries of the Micro- credit programme are into farming and their initiative to go into farming with the interest free loan is already helping to boost food production in the state.
he Governor who presented a draft of the sum of N34, 395,000.00 to the United Micro-Finance Bank Limited, for immediate disbursement to the beneficiaries, said Government would not rest on its oars to support farmers in the state. He added that the Ekpan fish town would be used as a reference point for catfish production.
Uduaghan who was at the farm for inspection purposes, urged private investors to encourage fish farmers in the state by establishing fish feed processing mills in the state.
According to Uduaghan, the Ufuoma fish farm, Ekpan was one of its kinds in the country, adding that the initiative was no doubt creating a positive image for the Uvwie people, in particular and Delta State in general.
The Governor who defied the heavy rain on that faithful day in Warri, told Deltans to embark on large scale farming, saying that his administration would continue to support genuine farmers to ensure food security for the people of the state. Uduaghan was accompanied on the inspection visit by the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN; Secretary to the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Tabs Tobowei and other top Government functionaries,
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The Governor's Executive Assistant on the state Micro-Credit Programme, DMCP, Dr. Antonia Ifeanyi Ashiedu said these groups of farmers, have challenged themselves and conquered adversity by establishing the fish town.
This article is courtesy of allafrica.com/stories/200811210082.html