Abia launches LAbIF to boost agri-farming

By News Masters On Sep 24, 2024

By Leonard Okachie

The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has launched the Abia State Life-ND Agribusiness Innovative Forum (LAbIF) to boost farming in the state.

The launch in Umuahia, on Tuesday, brought together critical stakeholders in the agricultural value chain, including banks, insurance companies, industries, input suppliers, and off-takers, amongst others.

A cross section of participants at the launch of LAbIF in Abia, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LIFE-ND is sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Federal Government and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

It is an agricultural programme designed to create employment for youths and women-headed households, as well as boost food security, especially in Niger Delta.

In a speech at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, expressed gratitude to IFAD, the Federal Government and other development partners for sustaining their support in making the project a reality.

Unveiling of Abia LAbIF by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze.(2nd from right).

Agbaeze said that the forum represented a new chapter in the efforts to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange and groundbreaking solutions in the agricultural sector.

LIFE-ND National Project Co-ordinator, Dr Sanni Abiodun, said LAbIF is an existential strategy designed to empower the youths, harness their energy and unlock the vast potential within the agricultural value chain.

Abiodun, represented by LIFE-ND National Agribusiness Promotion Co-ordinator, Mrs Anthonia Esenwa, said that the organisation decided to bring together all the actors in the value chain.

He said that the aim was to create an ecosystem that would continue to provide opportunities, create jobs, and improve livelihoods for years to come.

“We have introduced innovative technologies, promoted sustainable farming practices, and built networks that will outlast any single programme.

“We have witnessed incredible success stories, where our youths have not only improved their livelihoods but become champions of change in their communities,” he said.

Product exhibition by some beneficiaries (incubatees) of LIFE-ND.

The Rural Institution, Youth and Gender Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Dr Clement Uwem, said that LAbIF would solve the multi-dimensional problem of productivity, access to credit, regulation and others faced by the beneficiaries.

Uwem said: “LAbIF is an ecology of people who are actors around the food system, who have a lot of roles to play.

“We are putting together this forum so that our beneficiaries will have access to insurance, export promotion, agricultural credit, off-takers, input suppliers and others.”

The State Project Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, said that LAbIF would help to galvanise networks of off-takers, input suppliers and other critical aspects of the agricultural value chain.

Exhibition of Abia LIFE-ND biogas technology.

He said that LIFE-ND would build the capacity of the forum that would exist at the state, local government and community levels

“The first phase of LIFE-ND project will come to an end by March 2025.

“So, LAbIF will continue with our ideology and innovation across the 100 communities and 10 Local Government Areas, where we are working in,” he said.

In a goodwill message, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, the Executive Director, National Roots Crop Research Institute, Umudike (NRCRI), urged collaboration among the stakeholders by drawing up their collective expertise.

Egesi, represented by Assistant Director and Livestock Research Scientist, NRCRI, Dr Chioma Ekwe, said that it would help develop strategies that align with their goals of sustainability and innovation.

In separate remarks, the stakeholders expressed their commitments to work together to create a brighter future for agribusiness in Abia.

A major highlight of the event was the election and inauguration of the maiden Abia LAbIF executive, with Dr Clement Ikoro, an input supplier, as the Chairman. (NAN)