The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise–Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project in Abia is seeking stronger agricultural market links to improve farmers’ access to buyers.
The initiative brought together key stakeholders across the agricultural marketing value chain at a workshop on Wednesday in Umuahia.
The workshop was titled “Stakeholders’ Engagement and Policy Dialogue on Identification of Marketing Barriers, Market Linkages and Networking for LIFE-ND Priority Commodities in Abia.”
Participants included representatives of government agencies, financial institutions, processors, aggregators, off-takers, transporters and beneficiary groups.
The State Project Coordinator, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, said the project aimed to improve income, food security and employment opportunities for rural youths and women.
Onyeizu, represented by the State Agribusiness Promotion Officer, Mr Godwin Chukwekezie, stressed the need for farmers to access reliable markets.
He said processors needed a consistent supply of quality raw materials, while off-takers needed dependable producers. Increased production alone, he added, would not guarantee sustainable business success.
“We must move beyond individual operations towards a coordinated agricultural marketing system,” he said.
Onyeizu said the project would not remain in beneficiary communities indefinitely, stressing the need to establish sustainable structures.
He urged processors and off-takers to build direct relationships with farmers and communicate their quality requirements. He also encouraged them to establish sustainable purchasing arrangements with beneficiary groups.
He urged financial institutions to develop innovative products and input suppliers to provide quality inputs. He also tasked transporters with ensuring timely delivery and reducing post-harvest losses.
Onyeizu said Commodity Apex Development Associations and Enterprise Groups must become commercially viable institutions, capable of negotiating with buyers and managing infrastructure.
The meeting was expected to produce a comprehensive stakeholder database, improve understanding of market requirements and establish new business relationships.
The State Marketing Specialist, Nkechi Chukwu, said the exercise would identify, profile and engage stakeholders, as well as establish sustainable market links and business partnerships for beneficiaries.
“Sustainable agricultural development goes beyond increasing production. It requires functional market systems that connect farmers to reliable buyers and service providers,” she said.
The Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr David Kalu, said agriculture had significant potential to create jobs and increase household incomes.
Kalu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Justina Ebo, said the ministry would promote technologies for processing, preservation, packaging and quality control. He added that it would encourage digital tools to connect producers with buyers.
“Producing quality goods is only part of the process. Farmers also need reliable access to markets, finance, storage, processing and appropriate technology,” he said.
The Executive Director of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, commended the organisers.
Egesi, represented by Dr Helen Anyaegbunam, Director of the Research Outreach Department, described effective marketing as critical to agricultural development.
“It is not enough to produce. Farmers must also have access to profitable markets, reliable market information and sustainable market links,” he said.
LIFE-ND is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with the Federal Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) collaborating on the project.
It seeks to improve income, food security and employment among rural youths and women through sustainable agribusiness development across the Niger Delta.
