In a bid to boost food security across the country, the federal government has commissioned various agricultural projects in three communities in Oshimili South local government area of Delta state.
The projects which were executed by the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development is aimed at boosting food production and creating wealth among rural dwellers in the state.
The benefiting communities include Oko-Amakom, Umuyagbo and Asaba all in Oshimili South LGA of Delta state.
Minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr Mamood Abubakar, charged the communities to take ownership of the projects in order for them to reap their long term benefits.
He said the project was an initiative of government to stem urban migration by providing employment in rural communities, through interventions in aquaculture and provision of machinery for cassava processing and rural road network.
Abubakar, who was represented by zonal director, South/South region in the ministry, Mr Michael Brooks, said the projects were completed and handed over to the communities.
According to him, the projects were designed to empower rural communities in areas where they have comparative advantage.
He listed the projects to include 60 units of concrete pond clusters for graduate youths and women at Oko-Amakom, garri cottage processing mill, Asaba and the one kilometre asphalt Umuyagbo road, Illah in Oshimili North LGA.
State Director, Mr John Onovroke praised the youths for their cooperation while the projects were being constructed and urged them to shun violence.
He urged the youths to take advantage of the various agricultural interventions by the federal government to boost food security, create wealth and jobs.
The Onihe/ Iyasele, Oko-Amakom, Nwanmor Chukwunweze David, praised the federal government for constructing fish ponds for the community, adding that the ponds will empower the youths.
He urged the federal government to provide a smoking kiln to preserve fish and help build capacity by organising training for fish farmers in new innovations in aquaculture.
The traditional ruler called for provision of two additional boreholes for the fish cluster.
An Umuyagbo community leader, Ogbueshi Chike Udoka, commended the federal government for constructing an asphalt road in Umuyagbo community stressing that the road has made transporting farm produce easier to urban centres.
He said perennial flooding faced by school children in the community has be alleviated with the construction of the road.
Udoka appealed to the federal government to provide potable water in the community, stressing that residents depend on the nearby stream for drinking and other domestic chores.
