Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for the Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Summit, where he is expected to launch the $500 million Niger Delta Agricultural Investment Fund.

The summit, jointly organised by the Office of the Vice President and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is aimed at mobilising investments to unlock the agricultural potential of the Niger Delta region.

As part of the programme, the Vice President will also inaugurate the Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Council to coordinate public and private sector investments across key agricultural value chains.

The council is expected to drive investments in aquaculture, palm oil, cassava, cocoa, rice, horticulture, marine resources and livestock across the nine Niger Delta states.

The initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen food security, promote agricultural development, create jobs and stimulate inclusive economic growth in the Niger Delta region.