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Agriculture in Rivers State

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Agriculture in River state
CASSAVA FARM IN PORT HARCOURT CLOSE TO ABONNEMA WALF, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
Occupation
Occupation type
Farming
Description
Fields of
employment
Agriculture

Agriculture in Rivers State is an important branch of the economy of Rivers State, Nigeria.[1] It is the main source of livelihood for the rural people. Agriculture creates employment, provides income and helps curb out-migration.[2] The industry in the state is overseen by the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture.[1]

History

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Prior to the Discovery of oil in commercial quantity in 1951, Agriculture was the Primary occupation of the people of Rivers State. Around 19th century when the industrial revolution reached its peak in England, the area was then referred to as Oil Rivers Protectorate, this was due to its abundant palm oil and kernel which basically constituted the main revenue source of the country.[3] In a sample survey carried out by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, about 40% of the rural inhabitants were committed to farming in 1983.[4]

Crops

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Rivers State is one of the leading States in the production of yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize, rice and beans. About 39% (760,000 hectares) of the state's total land mass, particularly in the upland area, is suitable for cultivation. Major cash crops produced are oil palm products, rubber, coconut, raffia palm and jute. Other crops grown for food include, vegetables, melon, pineapples, mango, pepper, banana and plantain.[4]

Fishing

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The fishing industry is a thriving sector in Rivers State. Besides being lucrative, fishing is also a favorite pastime activity. There are approximately 270 species of fish existing; with many artisanal fishermen in the riverine areas. The state provides valuable seafoods such as crabs, oysters, shrimps and sea snails among others.

The Impact of LR's Adama Group in River State's Agriculture

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The project’s diverse agricultural production activities will generate an improved, higher-value fresh and Processed food supply, value chain development, market driven service, employment, and regional economic growth.[5]

Songhai Rivers Initiative Farm

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The Songhai Rivers Initiative Farm (SRIF) combines livestock, aquaculture and agro-tourism.[6] The centre serves as a place of excellence for training, production, research, demonstration as well as development of sustainable agricultural practices. SRIF was set up in partnership with Songhai International Centre Porto Novo. The project is located on a 314 hectare of farm land at Bunu in Tai local government area.[7][8]

There are different units through which the SRIF executes its functions. These units include:

  • Administrative and hospitality centre
  • Technology and industrial park
  • Production
  • Cow and goat ranch
  • Concrete fish ponds
  • Earthen pond
  • Fish hatchery
  • Artificial lake
  • Green house and maggottery.

Other units are broilers production, cassava processing unit, feed mill, rice mill, machines production, stabilised bricks production, free range poultry, plantain farm, pineapple, vegetable garden, cassava and moringa cultivation units. More units designed for future production at the centre include coconut, animal feeds, mango for chips and juice, orange for juice and input for animal processing and snail production.[1]

In recent times, the farm has been dormant and the Rivers State Government had to swing into action to woo investors to the farm. The Governor Siminalayi Fubara led administration promised to revive the farm to create food in the state and also provide employment opportunities for the Rivers people.[9][10]

Revolution of agriculture

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The Rivers State Government pledge to change and bring more development to agriculture sector in River State using the Songhai farm.[11]

Project

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On the 27th of June, there is proposed for the establishment of solar powered farm in the state, in other to increase and improve agriculture growth and food production/security in River state.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Onukwugha, Anayo (4 July 2013). "Nigeria: Amaechi - Making Agriculture the Mainstay of Rivers Economy". AllAfrica.com.
  2. ^ Eze Chukwuemeka Eze (20 May 2014). "Amaechi's Agricultural Revolution and Remarkable Feats". Igbo Focus. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Oil Rivers | region, Nigeria | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b "About Us". Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Reviving Regional Agriculture Development And Increasing Food Security".
  6. ^ Dagogo, Doctor Farah (2022-08-04). "Songhai Farm Initiative and Agricultural Development in Rivers State". International Journal on Integrated Education. 5 (8): 9–20. doi:10.17605/ijie.v5i8.3391. ISSN 2620-3502.
  7. ^ King Osila (5 September 2012). "Songhai: Creating World Class Farmers In Bunu Tai". The Tide. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Rivers Songhai Farm: A Tale of Decline and the Promise of Revival". Nigeria Info, Let's Talk!. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  9. ^ Chukwu, Ignatius (2020-06-05). "Rivers N3.2Bn Songhai Farms back for sale as govt woos back agric investors". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  10. ^ Naku, Dennis (2023-10-07). "Fubara pledges to revamp Songhai Farm, reform agric sector". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  11. ^ "Fubara to Revolutionise Agriculture in Rivers". This Day. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  12. ^ "Israeli Investors Commit To Multi-Million Dollar Solar-Powered Farm In Rivers State". Arise News. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
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