Niger Delta Human Development Report - UNDP Nigeria - United ...

In both Rivers and Delta states, most of
the fishery is artisanal (small-scale).
Api-culture (beekeeping): This could be
appropriate for individuals and cooperatives
with relevant training and skills as well
as extension services.
Forestry: This is important in the rainforest
areas. Technical and financial support is
required for small-scale activities related
to timber and non-timber products (e.g.,
cane for chairs), and horticultural products.
Some of the strategies to capitalize on the
potentials in agriculture include the following.
• The Central Bank of Nigeria’s new
subsidized agricultural expansion
programme and the community savings
and credit schemes of oil companies
should promote crop production
by individuals and cooperatives.
• Seed multiplication centres and extension
services should be set up at reasonable
distances to farming areas.
• The provision of water management
infrastructure will aid farming in the
freshwater swamp zone. Such infrastructure
comprises dykes, canals,
pumps, etc.
• Partnerships between governments (local,
state, federal and the NDDC) and
oil companies and other industries
could establish large-scale commercial
production of sugar.
• Support to cassava production under
the current Presidential Initiative on
Cassava would help farms secure key
inputs, obtain high-yielding varieties,
mechanize operations and acquire
land.
• Training should be provided to run
animal husbandry enterprises. Stocking
centres in all states and senatorial
districts should offer individuals and
cooperatives start-up stocks. The
Songhai project in Amukpe, Delta
State, provides a model centre for skills
acquisition.
• To expand the potential of aquaculture,
loans, skills provision and training
programmes are indispensable.
Support schemes are required for
equipment acquisition, and the adop-
NIGER DELTA HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT
tion of improved methods of harvesting,
processing, storage and marketing.
• Technical support is needed for sustainable
soil management, erosion and
flood control related to agricultural
development and the growth in communities,
off-season farm production,
and soil enrichment through fertilizers
and other inputs.
• Massive investment in social and economic
infrastructure will create a
favourable environment for agricultural
activities.
• To deliver professional and extension
services to farmers and fishermen/
women, closer cooperation should take
place among appropriate research institutes,
extension services, the NDDC,
agricultural development projects and
state government agencies.
• The establishment of storage facilities
and buffer stock for agricultural produce
would stabilize the prices of agricultural
commodities and ensure a
regular supply to agro-based industries.
Also important are schemes to reduce
post-harvest losses.
Potential Industrial Activities
All nine states of the Niger Delta have vast
resources, but face similar challenges in
terms of the growth of small and medium
industrial enterprises. Chapter six lists the
raw materials found in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa,
Rivers, Akwa lbom and Cross River states,
which are present in the other states as well.
These provide the bases for the agricultural
schemes and industrial activities suggested
below.
Agro-based industries: Most states could
offer investment opportunities in the following
areas, among others:
• manufacture of tyres and other rubber
products;
• small plants for preserving and bottling
palm wine and distilled beverages from
palm wine, which have a large market;
• cassava pellets, garri and starch processing,
with clusters of small businesses
around Oghara, Mosogar,
Kwale, Abraka, Agbor and Iseluku in
Delta State;
With supportive social
environment and better
access to infrastructure
in place, SMEs can be
promoted by fostering
legal and community
awareness and support
frameworks, including a
well-structured microcredit
scheme.
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