Calabar: The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has generated about N5 billion in agricultural interventions in Cross River State over the past six years, according to State Coordinator Innocent Ogbin.
On Friday in Calabar, during a media roundtable held to inform the public about the project’s performance, Ogbin made the remark.
The Coordinator said the agribusiness-driven programme targeted youths, women, and vulnerable groups. It sought to boost livelihoods through sustainable enterprise development in rural communities.
He noted that Cross River began the second phase in 2025 with additional financing, following completion of the first phase of the six-year programme.
Ogbin explained that the initiative used the state’s agrarian potential to reduce unemployment. It did this through structured agribusiness value chains.
He said that the programme’s core value chains—cassava, rice, fish, and poultry—include support for production—such as land preparation and input supply—processing—including milling and packaging—and marketing—by linking farmers to buyers and providing market information.
He further explained that cassava production yielded about 6,900 metric tonnes, generating over N552 million for the beneficiaries, while rice production recorded 7,289 metric tonnes, valued at N2.3 billion.
Ogbin added that the total output of poultry production was 658.68 metric tonnes, generating a gross income of N923 million, while fish production generated over N1.2 billion.
The programme created 4,370 jobs, including for women, persons with disabilities, and female-headed households. An additional 3,626 jobs are projected under ongoing additional financing.
The project adopts an incubation model. It pairs experienced agripreneurs with trainees. Currently, 630 beneficiaries have been trained and are awaiting enterprise take-off,’’ he said.
Ogbin noted that 2,996 agribusiness operators were identified for business development services. These services are designed to enhance financial literacy, planning, and market access.
He identified poor market access as a key rural challenge. He noted that 27.7 kilometres of roads and culverts were built to ease the transportation of produce.
Over 1,100 hectares of farmland were developed. In addition, 2,769 beneficiaries became active savers, and over 2,500 accessed N28 million in credit,” he said.
Ogbin added that 184 producer organisations, 178 enterprise groups, and 97 registered businesses were established. He expressed optimism for improved food security and incomes.
