Cross River State has launched the additional financing phase of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project with N100 million set aside to support youths and women across the state.
The programme, which is jointly funded by the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), IFAD and the Cross River State Government, is targeting improved food production, youth empowerment and rural economic growth through agriculture.
About 630 beneficiaries received support during the graduation ceremony and official launch of the 2026 farming season held in Calabar. The beneficiaries were presented with cash grants, certificates and agricultural inputs to support their farming and agribusiness activities.
Speaking during the event, the Cross River State Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Dr. Innocent Ogbin, described the intervention as a major step towards reducing unemployment and improving food security in the Niger Delta region.
According to him, 250 beneficiaries were selected for the cash grant component of the programme, with N100 million approved for disbursement, while other participants received farming inputs based on their agricultural value chains.
He explained that the beneficiaries were drawn from four major agricultural sectors including rice farming, cassava production, poultry and fish farming.
“Today’s event marks the distribution of support packages to both long-term and short-term incubatees, alongside the issuance of certificates and cash disbursement to beneficiaries under the cash support component,” Ogbin said.
“In total, we have 630 beneficiaries. The long-term incubatees underwent training for about three months, while the short-term trainees received training lasting between two and three weeks.”
Ogbin stated that participants involved in rice and cassava farming received fertilisers and agrochemicals, while poultry and fish farmers would receive inputs specifically designed for their businesses.
He also explained that the selection process for beneficiaries was carried out openly through public announcements on radio stations, newspapers, flyers, churches and community notice boards.
According to him, interested applicants submitted expressions of interest before screening and selection were conducted with the involvement of community stakeholders, including youth leaders, women leaders, traditional representatives and incubators.
The Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Dr. Odey Ikongha, who represented the Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, said the ministry had continued to supervise and monitor the implementation of the project across the state.
Ikongha reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting IFAD LIFE-ND in empowering youths and women through modern agriculture.
He noted that long-term incubatees, especially those participating in cassava production, would continue practical field training for up to one year in order to strengthen their knowledge of modern agronomic practices and improve productivity.
Officials of the programme commended the Federal Government for supporting the initiative through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, while also acknowledging the contributions of IFAD and the NDDC.
They also praised the Cross River State Government for fulfilling its counterpart funding obligations and sustaining support for rural agricultural development.
Beneficiaries at the event were encouraged to make productive use of the support packages to expand their businesses, create jobs and contribute to food security within their communities.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ben Okenjom from Ogurude in Obubra Local Government Area, shared how the programme changed his life and business.
Okenjom disclosed that after receiving N526,000 support from the IFAD LIFE-ND project in 2023, he established a one-hectare rice farm which later expanded to five hectares.
According to him, the expansion enabled him to purchase a power tiller, threshing machine, rice milling machine and destoning equipment. He added that he also established a mechanical workshop for equipment repairs and spare parts sales.
He expressed appreciation to the IFAD LIFE-ND project for the opportunity given to him, noting that his progress in the programme earned him promotion from incubatee to incubator.
The latest phase of the LIFE-ND intervention is expected to further strengthen agricultural productivity in Cross River State while providing sustainable income opportunities for youths and women participating in the programme.
