The Bayelsa Government has flagged off the distribution of agro inputs donated as palliatives to Bayelsa farmers affected by the recent floods.The intervention programme is part of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) support for farmers in nine States of the Federation to cushion the effect of the devastated floods.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony held at the School to Land premises in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Commissioner for Agriculture, David Alagoa expressed profound thanks to the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD for the support to farmers, saying that it is a demonstration of IFAD’s interest in the development of agriculture in the state.
Alagoa stated that Bayelsa experienced the most castatrophic flood in recent times which led to loss of crops and fishing farms as well as poultry farms, adding that the intervention is timely as it would in the short, medium and long time cushion the loss suffered by farmers during the floods.
He said that the palliatives for LiFE-ND incubates by IFAD is to cushion the effect suffered during the flooding and noted that in real terms the incubatees have not lost anything as succour has come from IFAD.
The state agriculture commissioner commended IFAD for supporting Bayelsa farmers with agro inputs such as cassava stems, plantain suckers, assorted seeds and fertilizers as well as hundreds of mango, orange, ogbono, pear and guava trees, pointing out that this has shown that IFAD has Bayelsa farmers at heart.
He said:” Let me thank IFAD and the LIFE ND programme for what they are doing in the state today. Clearly it suggests that they have interest in the development of agriculture in the state.
” We all experienced perhaps the most castatrophic flood that we ever had Bayelsa indeed was the worst of all flooding. And as we speak now anybody who comes with an intervention programme clearly suggest that the take the state at heart and what they brought we receive them with great thanks.
” The flag off is on agro inputs because the Bayelsa State, IFAD collaboration is on agriculture and so with the state government, we have come together to give palliatives to incubatees who are on the IFAD in the state.
” So you can see there is cassava stems, plantain suckers, day old chics and fish feeds and these are the areas they were trained by IFAD through the state government and they have even gone beyond that to give us economic trees, assorted seeds, fertilizers and so we are very happy with what IFAD has done in the state.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the State Project Coordinator, Dr. Panebi Ugo commended the state government’s developmental strides particularly in the agricultural sector and pledge the committment of IFAD/LIFE ND in realising the objectives of the ministry of agriculture.
Ugo stated that the distribution of agro inputs to flood impacted farmers and LIFE ND incubatees was part of IFAD intervention to mitigate the impact of the floods on farmers, saying that IFAD consider it proper to identify with the farmers and LIFE ND incubatees at the trying times of the devastation.
Speaking to newsmen, Mrs. Lovenah Eferebo a farmer thanked IFAD for distributing cassava stems to them, adding that before now she was thinking on how to get cassava stems to cultivate her farm this farming season.
Also speaking, Woyengiinangaosuo Akah and Idubamo Isowo, incubatees thanked IFAD for the palliatives, saying that the support from IFAD will enable them start up their farm business again.
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