Hundreds of Rural Youths and Women in Cross River State have received farm inputs and cash grants under a joint Federal Government-supported agricultural intervention, aimed at expanding small-scale agribusinesses.
The support, disbursed under the LIFE-ND project, followed a round of structured training in cassava, rice, poultry and fisheries, with 630 beneficiaries benefiting in the latest phase, including 250 who received direct financial grants.
The intervention, held in Calabar, is aimed at expanding agribusiness opportunities and boosting income generation among beneficiaries engaged in cassava, rice, palm oil, and poultry production.
The support followed structured training and incubation under the LIFE-ND programme, where beneficiaries were equipped before receiving starter inputs and financial assistance to establish their agribusiness ventures.
The National Project Coordinator Sani Abiodun alongside the State Project Coordinator, say the intervention is aimed at consolidating training received and ensuring beneficiaries are fully equipped to establish and sustain viable agribusiness enterprises.
The Cross River State Government through the Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, commended the graduation of beneficiaries, describing them as emerging agricultural entrepreneurs expected to contribute meaningfully to food production and agricultural development in the state.
The intervention is expected to deepen agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods as beneficiaries transition from training to enterprise ownership across key value chains in Cross River State.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
