The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has launched an Agricultural Support Programme Workshop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to strengthen food security and empower rural communities across Southern Nigeria.
The programme is aimed at training farmers, women, youths, students, and small-scale agribusiness owners in modern and sustainable agricultural practices to enhance productivity and reduce poverty.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, officially declared the workshop open through the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Mrs. Valerie Fubara, who represented her at the event.
In her remarks, Mrs. Fubara underscored the importance of agriculture in driving economic growth and ensuring food sustainability. She urged participants to take the workshop seriously, describing it as a stepping stone toward the Agricultural Empowerment Programme slated for October 14, 2025.
The workshop features technical sessions on crop production, livestock care, and poultry management, aimed at improving yields, promoting agribusiness innovation, and fostering long-term success among participants.
Delivering the keynote address titled "General Smart Agriculture in Relation to the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)," Professor Joseph Orluchukwu—represented by Professor Udensi Udensi, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt—emphasised the need for a transition from traditional to technology-driven farming systems.
He also called for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society to ensure lasting agricultural growth and resilience.
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The RHI Agricultural Support Programme forms part of a broader national strategy to promote self-reliance, reduce unemployment, and strengthen Nigeria's food production base, in line with the federal government's economic diversification agenda.
Participants expressed optimism about the initiative, describing the training as timely and impactful. Many said the knowledge gained would help them expand their agribusinesses and contribute to state and national food output.
The programme will continue through the week, culminating in the Agricultural Empowerment Day on October 14, when selected trainees will receive starter packs and other support to scale their ventures.
The initiative reaffirms Nigeria's commitment to inclusive economic growth through agriculture, empowering communities—especially women and youths—to build a more food-secure future.
