Agriculture in Rivers State

Last updated

Agriculture in Rivers State is an important branch of the economy of Rivers State, Nigeria. [1] It is the main source of livelihood for the rural people. Agriculture creates employment, provides income and helps curb out-migration. [2] The industry in the state is overseen by the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture. [1]

Contents

History

Agriculture in River state
Occupation
Occupation type
Farming
Description
Fields of
employment
Agriculture

Prior to the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in 1951, agriculture was the primary occupation of the people of Rivers State. Around 19th century when the industrial revolution reached its peak in England, the area was then referred to as Oil Rivers Protectorate, this was due to its abundant palm oil and kernel which basically constituted the main revenue source of the country. [3] In a sample survey carried out by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, about 40% of the rural inhabitants were committed to farming in 1983. [4]

Crops

Rivers State is one of the leading states in the production of yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize, rice and beans. About 39% (760,000 hectares) of the state's total land mass, particularly in the upland area, is suitable for cultivation. Major cash crops produced are oil palm products, rubber, coconut, raffia palm and jute. Other crops grown for food include, vegetables, melon, pineapples, mango, pepper, banana and plantain. [4]

Fishing

The fishing industry is a thriving sector in Rivers State. Besides being lucrative, fishing is also a favorite pastime activity. There are approximately 270 species of fish existing; with many artisanal fishermen in the riverine areas. The state provides valuable seafoods such as crabs, oysters, shrimps and sea snails among others.

Songhai Rivers Initiative Farm

The Songhai Rivers Initiative Farm (SRIF) combines livestock, aquaculture and agro-tourism. The centre serves as a place of excellence for training, production, research, demonstration as well as development of sustainable agricultural practices. SRIF was set up in partnership with Songhai International Centre Porto Novo. The project is located on a 314 hectare of farm land at Bunu in Tai local government area. [5]

There are different units through which the SRIF executes its functions. These units include:

Other units are broilers production, cassava processing unit, feed mill, rice mill, machines production, stabilised bricks production, free range poultry, plantain farm, pineapple, vegetable garden, cassava and moringa cultivation units. More units designed for future production at the centre include coconut, animal feeds, mango for chips and juice, orange for juice and input for animal processing and snail production. [1]

Revolution of agriculture

The river state government pledge to change and bring more development to agriculture sector in River State using the Songhai farm. [6]

Project

on the 27th of June, there is proposed for the establishment of solar powered farm in the state,in other to increase and improve agriculture growth and food production/security in River state. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

Jamaican cuisine includes a mixture of cooking techniques, flavours and spices influenced by Amerindian, West African, Irish, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern people who have inhabited the island. It is also influenced by the crops introduced into the island from tropical Southeast Asia, many of which are now grown locally. A wide variety of seafood, tropical fruits and meats are available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvadoran cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of El Salvador

Salvadoran cuisine is a style of cooking derived from the nation of El Salvador. The indigenous foods consist of a mix of Amerindian cuisine from groups such as the Lenca, Pipil, Maya Poqomam, Maya Chʼortiʼ, Alaguilac and Cacaopera peoples. Many of the dishes are made with maize (corn). There is also heavy use of pork and seafood. European ingredients were incorporated after the Spanish conquest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Nigeria</span> Overview of agriculture in Nigeria

Agriculture is a major sector of the Nigerian economy, accounting for up to 35% of total employment in 2020. According to the FAO, agriculture remains the foundation of the Nigerian economy, providing livelihood for most Nigerians and generating millions of jobs. Along with crude oil, Nigeria relies on the agricultural products it exports to generate most of its national revenue. The agricultural sector in Nigeria comprises four sub-sectors: crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing.

Sierra Leonean cuisine consists of the cooking traditions and practices from Sierra Leone. It follows the traditions of other West African cuisines. The country has 16 tribal ethnic groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigerian cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Nigeria

Nigerian cuisine consists of dishes or food items from the hundreds of Native African ethnic groups that comprises Nigeria. Like other West African cuisines, it uses spices and herbs with palm oil or groundnut oil to create deeply flavored sauces and soups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Benin</span>

Benin is predominantly a rural society, and agriculture in Benin supports more than 70% of the population. Agriculture contributes around 35% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and 80% of export income. While the Government of Benin (GOB) aims to diversify its agricultural production, Benin remains underdeveloped, and its economy is underpinned by subsistence agriculture. Approximately 93% of total agricultural production goes into food production. The proportion of the population living in poverty is about 35.2%, with more rural households in poverty (38.4%) than urban households (29.8%). 36% of households depend solely upon agricultural (crop) production for income, and another 30% depend on crop production, livestock, or fishing for income.

Agriculture in Cameroon is an industry that has plenty of potential.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belizean cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Belize

Belizean cuisine is an amalgamation of all ethnicities in the nation of Belize and their respectively wide variety of foods. Breakfast often consists of sides of bread, flour tortillas, or fry jacks that are often homemade and eaten with various cheeses. All are often accompanied with refried beans, cheeses, and various forms of eggs, etc. Inclusive is also cereal along with milk, coffee, or tea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo</span>

Agriculture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is an industry in the country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has plenty of potential.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Etche</span> Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria

Echie administratively known as Etche is an indigenous Igbo group mostly found in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Presently, its people make up Etche and Omuma, two of the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State they can also be found in Ngor Okpala L.G.A and Omuma town both in Imo state. They are part of the 13 federal constituencies representing River State in Nigeria's National Assembly and part of the Rivers East Senatorial District. Its people are mostly farmers, and they speak the Etche dialect of the Igbo language family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuisine of Equatorial Guinea</span> Culinary traditions of Equatorial Guinea

The cuisine of Equatorial Guinea is a blend of the cuisines of the native peoples of this African country, including the Annobonese, the Bubi, the Fang, and the Kombe. It is also influenced by the cuisines of Spain ; other African nations such as Nigeria and Cameroon; Islamic states such as Morocco; and Creole cuisine overall. Its cuisine incorporates various meats, including game and bushmeat as well as imports, and is known for its strong flavors and high spice levels. Fish and chicken are common dishes.

The historical origin of Ekwe is based on oral myth and legend of tradition of common ancestors passed from generation to generation. According to this oral tradition -"Nnamike Onuoma", the founder of the Ekwe community had two sons -Ekwe and Okwudor. Okwudor later separated from his brother and settled at the other side of the Njaba River and founded the Okwudor community. Ekwe stayed put in the area, which is now known as Ekwe.[1]

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benin cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Benin

Beninese cuisine involves many fresh meals served with a variety of sauces. Meat is usually quite expensive, and meals are generally light on meat and generous on vegetable fat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivorian cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Ivory Coast

Ivorian cuisine is the traditional cuisine of Côte d'Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast, and is based on tubers, grains, pig, chicken, seafood, fish, fresh fruits, vegetables and spices. It is very similar to that of neighboring countries in West Africa. Common staple foods include grains and tubers. Côte d'Ivoire is one of the largest cocoa producers in the world and also produces palm oil and coffee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuisine of the Central African Republic</span> Culinary traditions of the Central African Republic

Central African cuisine includes the cuisines, cooking traditions, practices, ingredients and foods of the Central African Republic (CAR). Indigenous agriculture in the country includes millet, sorghum, banana, yam, okra, yellow onion, garlic, spinach, rice and palm oil. Imported crops of American origin include maize, manioc (cassava), peanuts, chili peppers, sweet potato and tomato. Additional foods include onions, garlic, chiles and peanuts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabonese cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Gabon

Gabonese cuisine is the cooking traditions, practices, foods and dishes associated with Gabon, a sovereign state on the west coast of Central Africa. French cuisine is prevalent as a notable influence, and in larger cities various French specialties are available. In rural areas, food staples, such as cassava, rice and yams, are commonly used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seychellois cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Seychelles

Seychellois cuisine is the cuisine of the Republic of Seychelles, an archipelago country consisting of 115 islands. Fish plays a prominent part in country's cuisine because of its location in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles's cuisine has been influenced by African, British, French, Spanish, Indian and Chinese cuisines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Tanzania</span>

Agriculture is the main part of Tanzania's economy. As of 2016, Tanzania had over 44 million hectares of arable land with only 33 percent of this amount in cultivation. Almost 70 percent of the rich population live in rural areas, and almost all of them are involved in the farming sector. Land is a vital asset in ensuring food security, and among the nine main food crops in Tanzania are maize, sorghum, millet, rice, wheat, beans, cassava, potatoes, and bananas. The agricultural industry makes a large contribution to the country's foreign exchange earnings, with more than US$1 billion in earnings from cash crop exports.

Umulokpa is a town in Enugu State, Nigeria. It serves as the headquarters of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area (L.G.A) in Enugu State, and has a population of over 150,000.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Onukwugha, Anayo (4 July 2013). "Nigeria: Amaechi - Making Agriculture the Mainstay of Rivers Economy" . AllAfrica.com.
  2. Eze Chukwuemeka Eze (20 May 2014). "Amaechi's Agricultural Revolution and Remarkable Feats". Igbo Focus. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  3. "Oil Rivers | region, Nigeria | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  4. 1 2 "About Us". Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  5. King Osila (5 September 2012). "Songhai: Creating World Class Farmers In Bunu Tai". The Tide . Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  6. "Fubara to Revolutionise Agriculture in Rivers". This Day . 8 October 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  7. "Israeli Investors Commit To Multi-Million Dollar Solar-Powered Farm In Rivers State". Arise News. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.