By Agrobroadcast Team
As Nigeria’s oil-producing region grapples with the need to diversify its economy, a new initiative is seeking to channel the Niger Delta’s vast natural resources into structured, profitable agriculture.
In Delta South Senatorial District, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has launched a capacity-building programme aimed at repositioning farming as a modern, revenue-generating enterprise rather than a subsistence activity.
The Linkage Capacity Building Programme in Agribusiness, held in Oleh, convened farmers, agribusiness consultants, development practitioners and community stakeholders. Backed by technical partners including Eone Agri Products Limited, the initiative is designed to integrate local producers into formal supply chains, promote value addition and gradually reduce the region’s heavy dependence on oil income.
Represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Paul Emumena Michael, Senator Thomas said the programme reflects an effort to extend Nigeria’s local content framework beyond the oil and gas industry into agriculture.
According to him, Delta South possesses fertile soil and abundant water resources, yet lacks the technical systems and market structures required to transform farming into a scalable and profitable sector.
He explained that participants would receive training in processing, quality assurance, packaging and market linkage key components needed to transition from primary production to full agribusiness participation.
“Agriculture today is data-driven and technology-enabled. It goes beyond manual tools to structured entrepreneurship,” he said, adding that the long-term goal is to position Delta South as a leading agricultural hub within the Niger Delta.
Speaking on behalf of NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, Franklin Agatemor said the programme seeks to dismantle the perception of farming as a low-status occupation.
He noted that while many communities engage in primary production, limited attention has been paid to processing, branding and distribution areas where higher profit margins exist.
“The knowledge shared here can transform livelihoods if applied deliberately,” he said.
Programme Coordinator, Dr. Precious Itolima, representing Eone Agri Products Limited, described the training as a bridge between traditional farming methods and contemporary agribusiness models.
She observed that in much of southern Nigeria, agriculture is still approached as a subsistence activity, unlike in other regions where it is structured as a commercial venture.
Modern agriculture, she stressed, encompasses mechanisation, soil analytics, agritech applications and access to structured financing. Financial institutions, she added, are more inclined to support farmers who operate within clear business frameworks.
“Agriculture must be viewed as a respected profession and a viable business. The South has the resources to compete nationally and globally,” she said.
Community and Rural Development Specialist, Dr. Chimenem Ukpatu, reinforced the need for farmers to understand the agricultural value chain.
She cautioned against attempting to manage production, processing and marketing in isolation, noting that collaboration and specialisation often reduce losses and improve profitability.
Ukpatu urged participants to adopt more strategic business models and pursue market opportunities beyond their immediate communities.
Another facilitator, Manna Freeman, Managing Director of DHB Greenery Farm in Bayelsa, delivered practical sessions on soil testing, irrigation planning and farm structuring. She emphasised that many farmers operate without adequate knowledge of their soil composition or a defined financial strategy.
“Passion alone is not enough. Sustainable farming requires technical expertise, planning and resilience,” she said.
For participants, the programme appears to be reshaping perspectives. Kelvin Oghenero Ahomafo, a poultry and crop farmer from Isoko with over 15 years’ experience cultivating habanero pepper and tomatoes, said the sessions addressed real operational challenges he faces.
“I am already identifying solutions that can improve my output and profitability,” he said.
Similarly, Otagba Elo Cynthia, a young graduate, said the training altered her perception of agriculture.
Previously indifferent to the sector, she now sees agribusiness as a viable career path, particularly after learning about value chain opportunities and structured financing.
Encouraging other youths, especially women, to reconsider the sector, she said, “Food is a universal need. Agriculture offers opportunity and profit if approached professionally.”
The programme signals a broader shift in policy thinking one that frames agriculture not as a fallback occupation, but as a strategic economic pillar capable of driving growth and employment in the Niger Delta.