Delta to support farmers, investors

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting genuine farmers and private investors through infrastructure, improved power supply and other incentives to boost economic diversification and job creation across the state.

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The governor spoke on Saturday during an inspection of Tatcha Farms in Okuloho, Okpe Local Government Area, and Amity Global Farms and Manroy Livestock Farms at Ohorhe 1, Uvwie Local Government Area.

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He said government support for businesses would not necessarily be through direct funding, but by providing the infrastructure and enabling environment required for enterprises to thrive.

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According to the governor, the state’s recent economic and investment summit was designed to showcase the state’s investment opportunities, particularly in agriculture, and attract local and international investors.

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Oborevwori said the government’s economic team had been directed to inspect farms and businesses across the state to understand their challenges and assess their expansion potential.

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He disclosed that a 33kV electricity line had been awarded, assuring that the project would improve power supply to farms and other businesses in the area.

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The governor also said ongoing road projects would improve access to farming communities and markets.

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Oborevwori further promised to construct an access road linking the Warri-Sapele Expressway to the community hosting Amity Global Farms.

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He maintained that government’s agricultural support would also benefit small-scale farmers, with priority given to genuine farmers, adding that fertiliser and other inputs would be distributed to genuine farmers and warning against resale.

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The governor also encouraged civil servants and other residents to engage in farming, saying agriculture could create jobs, improve food security and reduce crime.

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The Chief Executive Officer of Tatcha Farms Limited, Olorogun Mrakpor, thanked the governor for the visit, saying it provided an opportunity to showcase the farm’s contributions to food security, job creation and agricultural development.

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At Amity Global Farms, the Managing Director and CEO, Idama Amurun, said the company was exploring partnerships with Brazilian investors and the state government to expand cassava production and establish processing industries.

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Amurun said cassava could be processed into industrial starch, ethanol and other products, creating substantial employment opportunities. He disclosed that the farm currently employed over 300 workers and cultivated crops including pepper and cucumber.

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He, however, identified inadequate financing, delays in the supply of day-old chicks, facilities, accommodation and access to land as major challenges limiting expansion.

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