Delta State Urged to Invest in Agriculture as Robust Alternative to Oil

A group called No Justice No Peace Initiative has called on the Delta State Government to invest in agriculture, saying it is a robust alternative to crude oil.

The group believes that agriculture provides opportunities for economic equity and helps people prosper.

In a statement released on Thursday, the group’s National Coordinator, Comr. (Amb.) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, highlighted the importance of agriculture in the state’s economy.

He noted that since 1999, the state has not given enough attention to agriculture and natural resources, instead focusing on crude oil activities.

The group emphasized that Delta State has comparative advantage in agriculture, particularly in cassava farming, processing, and trading.

Cassava can be processed into many products, such as fufu, cassava chips, garri, cassava flour, and cassava starch, providing a wide range of opportunities for the state’s economy.

The group suggested that the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led government should take advantage of the economic challenges to invest in agriculture, producing local food products to sell to residents at fixed prices.

They also recommended regulating the general prices for traders and sellers to sell to the populace in the market at specific prices.

No Justice No Peace Initiative criticized past governments for failing to boost the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, saying their plans only existed on paper and social media.

The group believes that investing in agriculture will not only provide economic opportunities for the state but also ensure that food, a basic human right, is accessible to all.

By focusing on agriculture as a robust alternative to oil, Delta State could potentially unlock a more equitable and sustainable economic future for its residents.