A leading agricultural stakeholder in Rivers State, Mr. Charles Okoro, has expressed doubts over the feasibility of revitalizing the long-neglected Shongai Farm in Tai Local Government Area before the end of the current administration’s tenure.
Mr. Okoro’s concerns follow a recent inspection of the farm by the Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (RSADP), retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas. The visit, which marked the clearing of the once-overgrown site, was hailed by the administrator as a symbolic step towards the farm’s rebirth.
Speaking to journalists during the tour, Admiral Ibas described the current state of the Shongai Farm as a “mixed opportunity”—a reflection of past neglect but also a platform for future potential. He revealed that several private investors had already shown interest in the project and said the RSADP would soon engage stakeholders to chart a sustainable path forward.
Despite these assurances, Mr. Okoro, a prominent agribusiness advocate in the Niger Delta, remains skeptical.
“Clearing the site is commendable—it’s the first step. But agriculture involves much more,” Okoro told The Guardian. “You need infrastructure, irrigation systems, seed procurement, trained manpower, and coordinated market access. None of that happens overnight.”
He further noted that the current agricultural calendar does not favor immediate progress.
“We’re already at the tail end of the first planting season and heading into peak rainfall. By the time meaningful planting or processing begins, the Sole Administrator’s tenure will be almost over,” he added.
However, Okoro praised Admiral Ibas for emphasizing the importance of continuity in agricultural policy and for highlighting the need to separate governance from politics.
The Shongai Farm, once considered a model for integrated, sustainable agriculture in the state, was launched under former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration but has since fallen into disrepair. According to Okoro, political rivalries and shifting development agendas are to blame for the farm’s abandonment in recent years.
He urged the state government to develop a long-term agricultural master plan that would shield projects like Shongai Farm from political disruptions and ensure sustainability across administrations.
“Let agriculture be agriculture. It should not be subject to political interference,” he said. “That’s the only way projects like Shongai Farm can succeed.”
