The Niger Delta Development Forum (NDDF) is a unique advocacy platform that informs and influences promotion of non-oil pro-poor policies, programs and interventions as well as leverage and advice on how resources from the public, private and development organizations can be effectively and efficiently utilized to promote inclusive and equitable economic growth.
The forum convenes government officials, policy makers, civil society representatives, academics, the private sector, business leaders, entrepreneurs and other interested observers to engage in an open, constructive and interactive policy dialogue, and roundtable discussions on critical development issues. NDDF’s philosophy is hinged on policy analysis, dialogue,
partnerships, use of evidence and a strong commitment to influence duty bearers who have the power and authority to make desired changes.
The NDDF 2014 in Calabar is the forth iteration, following the initial ones in Port Harcourt, 2012, Benin City in 2013 and Washington DC in October 2014.
The objectives of the NDDF 2014 were to:
1. Identify investments opportunities in selected local agricultural value chains in each state of the Niger Delta
2. Attract private sector investors to invest in local agricultural value chains that presents income and employment generation opportunities
3. Proffer practical recommendations and action points that can improve investment climate and opportunities in agriculture in the Niger Delta
4. Identify specific niches and opportunities to attract more women and youth profitably in agriculture.
Four specific sub-themes provided the framework that guided the entire discussions that happened both in the plenary and panel sessions.
The sub-themes were:
1. Investment opportunities in local agricultural commodity value chain
2. Impacts of conflicts and insecurity on investments in Agriculture
3. Opportunities for Women and Youth in Agriculture
4. Government perspectives on Agricultural investments
A total of 724 participants (comprising 235 females and 471 males) attended from the nine states in the Niger Delta over the 2 day period. With participants from all the targeted groups, including investors from the United States, the forum laid a good foundation for new partnerships, shared learning and collection by all the various stakeholders that participated.
Having a large number of actual farmers in attendance brought out the realities of investing in the discussions.
Highlight of the report include:
- Investments opportunities in Local Agricultural Commodity Value Chains
Delivered by Kayode Faleti, Senior Program Manager, Southern Regional Office, USAID/MARKETS II Project
- Investment Opportunities in the Aquaculture Value Chain
Lead Presenter: Dr. (Mrs.) Onome A Davies, Senior Lecturer, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt
- Investment opportunities in the Cassava Value Chain
Lead Presenter: Ogo Ibok, CEO SENSE Agric Limited Lagos
- Investment Opportunities in the Cocoa Value Chain
Lead presenter: Dr Peter Aikpokpodion Senior Special Assistant on Cocoa to the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja
- Investment Opportunities in the Poultry Value Chain
Lead Presenter: Mr. Akpolu Ebitari Sylvanus, Senior Manager, Okunwan Nigeria Limited. Yenagoa.
- Investment Opportunities in Rice Value Chain
Lead Presenter: Professor Geraldine Ugwuonah, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
Investment Opportunities in Palm Oil Value Chain
Lead Presenter: Dr Ikuenobe, NIFOR, Benin CityAccelerating and Increasing Opportunities for Women in Agribusiness
Lead presenter: Chief Bassey Archibong, Director Household Economy, USAID/MARKETS II ProjectThe Current State of Agricultural Investment in the Niger Delta and its
Effect on Conflict Dynamics in the Niger Delta. Lead Presenter: Dr. AchimotaUsing Investments in Agriculture to mitigate Conflicts and address Human Security Issues in the Niger Delta.
Lead Paper Presenter: Dr. Adaba Ibim: University of Port Harcourt