Farmers’ coalition lauds NDDC over $500m agric development fund

The Niger Delta Farmers Coalition (NDFC) has congratulated the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on the successful hosting of the Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Summit 2026, and the launch of the US$500 million Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Fund.

In a statement on Wednesday by Confidence Mac-Eteli, convener of the NDFC and deputy national president, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the farmers’ group commended Samuel Ogbuku, managing director and chief executive officer of NDDC, for organising the event.

The coalition also lauded NDDC Governing Board, Executive Management, and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Development for what it described as a landmark initiative aimed at transforming agriculture and promoting food security across the Niger Delta.

It applauded the Office of the Vice President, development partners, investors, and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the success of the summit recently, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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According to the statement: “The summit demonstrated a strong commitment to agricultural transformation, agribusiness development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth in the region.”

The NDFC called on farmers, fisherfolk, aquaculture practitioners, cooperatives, and agribusiness operators across the nine Niger Delta states to organise themselves, embrace modern farming techniques, and position themselves to benefit from the agricultural development and investment fund.

It urged the NDDC to sustain a grassroots-driven approach by actively involving farmers and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of agricultural programmes to enhance transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

As part of efforts to deepen farmers’ participation, the NDFC called for a strategic partnership with the NDDC to mobilise farmers and strengthen grassroots engagement in the implementation of the fund.

The group proposed the organisation of the Niger Delta Farmers Coalition Inauguration Summit 2026 as the official regional platform for engaging farmers and key stakeholders.

The proposed summit is expected to feature the official inauguration of the NDFC, interactive sessions between the NDDC and farmers on agricultural programmes and the agricultural development investment fund as well as the launch of the Niger Delta Farmers Data Bank and Digital Farmers Registration Exercise.

Other features include a presentation of the NDDC–NDFC Strategic Partnership Framework, adoption of the Niger Delta Farmers’ Declaration and Summit Communiqué, and the unveiling of a roadmap for state and local government farmers’ engagement forums across the region.

The coalition noted that the initiatives would ensure that genuine farmers have access to information, opportunities, and support under the agricultural development and investment fund.

Reaffirming its commitment to food security and sustainable agricultural development, the NDFC “pledged to work closely with the NDDC and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.”

The statement expressed the optimism that “the programme would usher in a new era of food security, employment generation, wealth creation, and inclusive agricultural development across the Niger Delta.”