Agriculture is central to Delta State’s economy, comprising 13.2% of GDP in 2020, up from 9.5% in 2013. The diverse landscape of the state provides favourable conditions for a wide variety of crops, including food staples such as rice; fruits and vegetables such as yams, cassava, mangoes, pawpaw, capsicum and tomatoes; and industrial crops such as rubber and palm oil.
The north of the state features well-drained sandy soil, while the southern coastal area is characterised by water-logged silky soil, both of which allow for the cultivation of a range of arable crops. Additionally, the state’s extensive water channels and the rainy season provide ample opportunities for profitable fish farming, which has become a lucrative agri-business activity.
Strategy
Several factors have influenced the government’s agriculture policies and private investment. Some of the areas targeted for improvement include enhancing the agri-business environment, improving the quality and efficiency of farm inputs, increasing the availability of modern farming equipment, providing better access to agriculture loans, and strengthening the linkages between producers and markets. Environmental degradation, exacerbated by climate change, has been identified as a significant challenge, as it reduces the productive capacity of the soil.
Additionally, the state government passed the Delta State Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (Amendment) Law in 2016 to refocus, realign and strengthen the existing Agricultural Development Programme reforms and boost their relevance, efficiency and effectiveness. In 2021 the Delta State Executive Council approved the Delta State Agricultural Policy to enhance the sector’s productivity and agri-business performance. An integral element is the establishment of an agro-industrial park to boost agro-processing and value addition.
“In recent years, the Delta State government has introduced investor-friendly policies, attracting greater financing to the agriculture sector,” Gabriel Ogbechie, founder of the integrated oil and gas firm Rainoil, told OBG. “Other notable developments are improved access to land, as well as the construction of roads linking urban and rural regions.”
Project Landscape
The objectives of the two Delta State Medium-Term Development Plans have led to several farming initiatives and projects. For example, the government introduced reforms to the Delta State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority to support the sector by funding agent training and building renovations, as well as the purchase of 116 motorcycles to help agents access rural areas. These efforts have enhanced food security and reduced poverty.
Meanwhile, the development of the Common Facility Centre for palm oil processing supports the state government’s aim of establishing an agri-business segment to attract greater investment to the region. The state’s export market is gradually improving through trade in high-quality packaged garri, or flour from cassava root. Delta State’s strategic location as the gateway to the South-East and South-South regions presents further opportunities for the expansion of its trade market.
Transformation
Delta State’s agriculture sector has undergone a significant transformation, driven by formalisation and mechanisation. A critical milestone was the launch of the Agricultural Land Data Bank Initiative in July 2016, which created a data repository on available agriculture land, allowing private investors to access land, with support from local communities. The initiative also paved the way for large-scale projects, such as the multibillion-naira Norsworthy Farms oil palm plantation in Oshimili North and Aniocha North. With more than 3000 ha and 250,000 oil palm trees, the farm is expected to, help position Delta State as a centre for agri-business. There is also an initiative to establish more than 34,000 ha of oil palm plantations comprising nearly 2000 smallholder units and 41 largescale farms under a public-private partnership involving Delta State Commercial Oil Palm Plantation Growers.
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