The Abia State Project Coordinating Office of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has announced plans to empower at least 3,000 beneficiaries in agribusiness ventures through additional financing.
The State Project Coordinator, Dr. Uchenna Onyeizu, disclosed this during a working session and orientation for the first batch of additional financing regular incubatees (trainees) and incubators (trainers) held in Umuahia on Saturday.
The LIFE-ND project is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). It aims to empower smallholder farmers and promote agribusiness development across Abia communities.
Onyeizu said that the new beneficiaries — including youths, women-headed households, and persons with disabilities — would receive training and support in four key commodities: poultry, fisheries, rice, and cassava over the next three years.
He revealed that the project had already empowered about 4,250 beneficiaries during its first phase, which made a significant impact across the state.
“Because we exceeded expectations in the first phase, IFAD decided to extend the project through additional financing,” Onyeizu said.
He added that 630 beneficiaries had been selected for the first batch of the extended phase from 47 communities across Ohafia, Bende, Obingwa, Aba South, Isiala Ngwa South, and Umuahia South Local Government Areas.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to providing policy direction, coordination, and an enabling environment for the project, in line with Governor Alex Otti’s vision for agricultural transformation in the state.
Agbaeze encouraged the beneficiaries to build sustainable and socially responsible agribusinesses, stressing that LIFE-ND represents “a promise that the talents and ambitions of young agripreneurs will be matched with practical skills, mentorship, and market access.”
“As participants drawn from across our LGAs, you are not just trainees; you are builders of Abia’s agricultural future. Treat your farms and enterprises as classrooms — where every challenge teaches and every success multiplies,” Agbaeze said.
He urged them to remain focused, noting that the skills and networks gained from the programme could open doors beyond the training period.
The National Project Coordinator, Dr. Abiodun Sanni, represented by the National Administrative Officer, Mrs. Ngozi Ohaechesi, advised participants to approach the training with seriousness and commitment.
Sanni reminded them that the funds provided were loans to be repaid into a designated account within the three-year programme period.
“You will receive stipends during your apprenticeship and, at the end of it, you will be empowered to start your own agribusiness,” he said.
The State Agribusiness Promotion Officer, Mr. Godwin Chukwuukezie, explained that the orientation offered participants an opportunity to understand LIFE-ND’s structure and gain insights into agribusiness operations.
He said specialists in various fields — including climate-smart agriculture, mainstreaming, and sustainable farming — would train the participants before they proceed to their incubation centres after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the organisation.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Ijeoma Kalu, expressed gratitude to LIFE-ND for the opportunity, saying she had long desired to venture into fish farming.
“I have always wanted to go into fishery because it is a lucrative enterprise, but I didn’t know how to start until this opportunity came up,” Kalu said.
