11/09/2026
Delta Adopts LIFE-ND Model to Train 10,000 Youths in Commercial Agriculture
The Delta State Government has announced plans to adopt the agribusiness incubation model of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) programme to train 10,000 youths in commercial agriculture.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Val Arenyeka, disclosed this on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Asaba during the pre-wrap-up meeting of the Sixth Joint Supervision Mission of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other key implementation partners.
Arenyeka said the LIFE-ND agribusiness incubation model had demonstrated its capacity to generate measurable economic growth and improve livelihoods in rural communities across the Niger Delta.
According to him, the state government is committed to sustaining and expanding the model to equip young people with the skills, resources and business opportunities required to participate effectively in commercial agriculture.
The joint supervision mission, which included representatives of IFAD, the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Finance, conducted inspections of various LIFE-ND project sites across the state.
During the field visits, the team inspected agricultural facilities in Agbor-Obi and Ekuma communities in Ika South Local Government Area.
The facilities included three greenhouses cultivating habanero and bell peppers, open-field vegetable farms, as well as a five-compartment poultry pen incorporating biogas brooding and Black Soldier Fly technologies for converting waste into useful agricultural resources.
The mission also inspected a mini oil palm processing plant, an open market and lock-up shops at Emu-Obodeti in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
The facilities are part of efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains and provide rural entrepreneurs with access to productive assets that can support sustainable businesses and create employment opportunities.
During its initial six-year implementation cycle, Delta State exceeded its baseline target of 4,250 beneficiaries, reaching 4,373 rural entrepreneurs.
The state is also expected to reach an additional 10,805 participants under the programme’s Additional Financing Phase.
Speaking on the overall performance of the programme, the LIFE-ND National Project Coordinator, Dr Abiodun Sanni, said the initiative had achieved more than 85 per cent of its overall objectives across the nine participating Niger Delta states.
Arenyeka, however, stressed the need to strengthen community-led structures to ensure the sustainability of the programme beyond government and donor interventions.
He specifically highlighted the importance of the Commodity Apex Development Association (CADA) and the LIFE-ND Agribusiness Innovative Forum (LABIF), saying stronger local institutions would enable farmers to independently manage processing facilities, mobilise capital and sustain agricultural value chains.
He noted that the structures would be particularly important in strengthening value chains across key commodities, including cassava, oil palm, fisheries and poultry.
The Commissioner said the state government’s decision to continue with the LIFE-ND incubation model was aimed at building on the programme’s achievements while creating more opportunities for young people to pursue agriculture as a viable commercial enterprise.
He added that empowering youths and rural entrepreneurs through practical agricultural training, access to productive assets and stronger community institutions would contribute significantly to the state’s economic development.
