Deputy Gov reveals the reasons behind Delta’s investment in agriculture

Delta State’s Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, has explained the rationale behind the state government’s focus on the agricultural sector.

He said that agriculture is not only a major source of employment for Deltans but also a strategic way to make the state the food hub of the nation.

Onyeme stated this when he received the Coalition of Delta State Farmers, led by Mr. Loveday Takim, and the Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, Delta chapter, led by Chief Eric Tomfawei, who paid him a courtesy call at his office in Asaba.

He said, “Our administration is giving serious attention to agriculture because it is the biggest industry and the most sustainable business that can lift Nigeria out of extreme poverty; the agricultural sector provides the largest employment opportunity for Deltans.”

The deputy governor pointed out that Nigeria has a competitive edge if it focuses on developing its agricultural sector rather than trying to match up with advanced countries in technology.

He said, “We cannot rival the Western world technologically; we can improve our agricultural industry and compete with them in that area because God has endowed us with fertile soil and a vast landmass.

“We have to face reality: if we don’t grow our agriculture, we cannot progress as a nation; we cannot challenge the Western world on information and communication technology, because they will always be ahead of us in that area and we will be playing catch up, but we can challenge them in agriculture; we can even surpass them because God has blessed us with good land for agriculture; our seeds and water are also good for production; all we need is to focus our energy where we have the advantage, so, as a nation, agriculture is the way forward.”

He then added, “Our administration will do everything possible to ensure that we promote agriculture in Delta State and make the state a model for others within the federation.”