WHY I OPTED FOR PROSPERITY MANTRA-OKOWA

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has disclosed that the choice of 'Prosperity for all Deltans' as the mantra of his administration was hinged on his perpetual desire to close the gap between the rich and the poor by ending hunger and poverty through sustainable agricultural development programmes.

To this end, the Governor said he has targeted investments and revitalization in a number of projects in the Agricultural sector that will bring about transformation in Agriculture and, in many cases, revolutionize the livelihood of rural farmers.

The Governor made the disclosure at the Cenotaph, Asaba, the state capital, while declaring open this year's World Food Day with the theme, "Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty".

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Okowa, whose address was delivered by the State Information Commissioner, Mr. Patrick Ukah, noted that agriculture plays a pivotal role in providing access to food and creating employment, adding that more than 70 percent of "our population live in the rural areas and depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihood".

File: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa 

The Governor, who averred that the theme of the event was apt in relation to global trends, explained that Social Protection, in the context of agriculture, covers "a range of solutions often combined to provide loans, insurance, subsidies, innovative agricultural device and extension services for the poor and vulnerable rural farmers to overcome hunger, malnutrition and poverty".

In lieu of this, Okowa observed that his administration has taken active steps in establishing the Job Creation Office, adding that the main focus of the office is to diversify the economy, create wealth and reduce unemployment through agricultural schemes such as the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP) and the Production Processing and Support Programme (PPSP).

He revealed that in a bid to ensuring the sustainability of all the programmes, the current administration has made agriculture part of its main thrust, noting that one of the agricultural policies of his government is to recognize and give the agrarian sector a pride of place.

"This administration, therefore, will continue to make deliberate efforts to create a conducive and enabling environment to reduce poverty, malnutrition and factors perceived to militate against increased food production in the state; we are committed to providing Social Protection for all", Okowa assured.

He implored stakeholders in the agricultural sector to exude a high sense of commitment, diligence and sincerity of purpose that will engender the success of the various schemes being executed, stressing that "successful farming activities can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and political stability".

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Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Austin Chikezie, said the World Food Day calls for a renewed global action against hunger as well as the creation of public awareness on hunger challenges.

Chikezie noted that Social Protection is a programme designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by promoting efficient labour markets, diminishing people's exposure to risks such as unemployment, exclusion, disability and old age.

The event culminated in a tour of exhibition of agricultural products of farmers drawn from all parts of the state and prizes were awarded to adjudged winners.