Farmers in Delta State have expressed contentment over the impact of the Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES).
Reports from the Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state said that farmers are rejoicing over the impact of the programme, as the initiative, which has become a lifeline, has enabled them to revive their agricultural businesses.
Mrs. Patience Ishie from Umutu said, “The COVID-19 lockdown made me to abandon my poultry and I was unable to start again due to lack of money.
“But when D-CARES Fadama brought free fish feeds and a pack of day-old chickens with medications, that motivated me to go back to farming. I have restocked my farm with new birds.”
At Ezionum, Madukelum Freedom, Nwanua Mavis and Afodigbue Monday, in separate remarks, revealed that the significance of the farm inputs given to them had enabled them to provide food for their families and increase their production levels.
“I have been struggling to feed my family and sustain my farm, but the Fadama D-CARES programme revived my farm business. Thank you, Fadama, thank you, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori,” Monday Afodigbue said.
Similarly, the people of Ezi community in Aniocha North Local Government Area also expressed gratitude to the state government and the Labour-Intensive Public Workfare (LIPW) unit of the D-CARES programme for positively impacting their lives.
The beneficiaries disclosed that through the programme, they had been able to secure employment and financial stability, which has provided opportunities for them to pursue their passions and improve their livelihoods.
They spoke when staff of the LIPW Unit visited the community for the end-of-programme activities to ascertain the progress of the programme in the area.
One Cordelia Onyejose, said she saved ₦10,000 monthly from her salary, which she used to purchase a glass for her shop.
She thanked D-CARES for the opportunity and prayed for the programme’s continuation.
A farmer from the same community revealed, “My name is Amagoh Felix, a farmer in the community. Before the intervention of D-CARES, I had problems funding my farm, and I hardly had money to buy chemicals to fumigate my farm. But since the intervention of Delta-CARES, I have become a proud farmer. I now have money to buy chemicals to fumigate my farm and I know that with what I have now in my farm, I am a big man.
“I never thought I would be able to farm last year, but with the intervention of D-CARES, I am now a cassava farmer, and I want to use this opportunity to thank D-CARES for the support,” said Peter Ojiodu, another beneficiary.
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