From Farms To Factories: Oborevwori Unveils Infrastructure Push For Delta’s Agriculture

By MAY ETAGHERURE ATUZULO

Oborevwori Links Infrastructure to Agricultural Growth

DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has said his administration will use infrastructure and other incentives to strengthen agriculture and attract private investment across the state.

He made the commitment during an inspection tour of agricultural businesses in Okpe and Uvwie Local Government Areas.

The governor visited Tatcha Farms in Okuloho, as well as Amity Global Farms and Manroy Livestock Farms in Ohorhe 1.

Oborevwori said the visits would give government a clearer understanding of the difficulties confronting businesses and the opportunities available for expansion.

Roads & Electricity at the Centre of Plan

Rather than rely solely on direct financial assistance, the governor said government would create the conditions businesses need to grow.

Electricity forms a major part of that strategy.

Oborevwori disclosed that the state had awarded a 33kV electricity project for the area. He said improved power supply would support farms and other businesses while reducing one of the major constraints on commercial production.

Road infrastructure also featured prominently in the governor’s plans.

He said ongoing road projects would improve connections between farming communities and markets. At Amity Global Farms, he went further by promising an access road linking the community to the Warri-Sapele Expressway.

Turning Cassava Into an Industrial Opportunity

The inspection also highlighted the potential for agriculture to move beyond primary production.

At Amity Global Farms, Idama Amurun said the company was exploring partnerships with Brazilian investors and the Delta State Government to expand cassava cultivation and establish processing facilities.

He identified industrial starch and ethanol among the potential products that could emerge from cassava processing.

According to him, developing the processing chain would create more jobs and increase the economic value of agricultural production.

The farm already employs more than 300 workers and produces crops including pepper and cucumber.

Government Seeks Wider Investment

Oborevwori said the recent Delta Economic and Investment Summit provided an avenue to showcase the state’s investment opportunities to potential investors.

Agriculture, he noted, remained a major area of interest.

He has consequently directed the state’s economic team to visit farms and businesses across Delta to assess their operations, identify obstacles and determine where government intervention could unlock further growth.

The strategy reflects an effort to connect investment promotion with practical support for businesses already operating in the state.

Support for Small Farmers

The governor also emphasised that the agricultural strategy would not focus exclusively on large commercial farms.

Small-scale farmers would receive fertiliser and other inputs, he said, provided they were genuine beneficiaries.

He warned against the resale of government-distributed agricultural materials.

Oborevwori also urged civil servants and other residents to consider farming as an economic opportunity.

He argued that increased agricultural activity could generate jobs, improve food availability and provide productive alternatives that could help reduce crime.

Businesses Demand Stronger Enabling Conditions

While welcoming the governor’s intervention, agricultural investors also identified obstacles requiring attention.

Amurun cited inadequate access to finance, delays in supplying day-old chicks, inadequate facilities and accommodation, and difficulty obtaining land.

These challenges underline the importance of infrastructure beyond roads and electricity.

For agricultural businesses to expand sustainably, investors also require access to finance, land, production facilities, reliable inputs and efficient markets.

The governor’s farm inspection therefore provides an opportunity to move the state’s investment strategy from broad promises to targeted interventions.

If the proposed infrastructure projects and agricultural support measures reach the intended beneficiaries, they could strengthen production and investment. More importantly, they could help Delta build a broader economic base around farming, processing and agro-industrial employment.