The Rivers State Government, in conjunction with the World Bank/European Union, EU, has presented N54,904,000 to 97 young graduate farmers in the state.
Also presented were farming kits and implements, including seedlings.
The beneficiaries of the aid were trained under the Technical Vocational and Agricultural Training (TVAT) programme of the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) project in poultry, crop and fish production.
Mrs. Kindness Egbelu, who is the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture said during the presentation ceremony at the School-to-Land Authority at Rumuodumanya, that the programme was part of the state government’s commitment to diversify the economy to agriculture.
Mrs. Egbelu said that the ministry would not only partner with SEEFOR to ensure the success of the programme ,but would also sustain it beyond the lifespan of SEEFOR.
Also speaking, the state Coordinator of the State Employment and Expenditure For Result (SEEFOR) project, Mr. Kelcious Amos, said that the beneficiaries, who were carefully selected from the 23 local government areas were trained between 2014 and 2016.
Amos, who was represented by the state Deputy Coordinator, Mr Caliber Whyte, charged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the programme to improve their lives.
Also speaking, Executive Director of School-To-Land Authority, Mr Amaityie Vincent said that the programme would boost food production and employment opportunities in the state.
