Source: Punch Newspaper
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has distributed farming inputs to 121,000 smallholder farmers across nine states to enhance food security. Fatima Aliyu, the National Program Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Program (VCDP), made this announcement in Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the 11th supervision mission of the program.
Aliyu explained that the VCDP is centered on the sustainable production, processing, and marketing of rice, cassava, and other crops. The nine states benefiting from this initiative include Nasarawa, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Ogun, Niger, Taraba, Kogi, and Enugu. The program is designed to transform the lives of smallholder farmers, create employment opportunities for women and youth, and increase the incomes of rural households.
She also highlighted the establishment of a Rice Innovation Centre in Ashangwa, Lafia, as well as an aggregation center for farm produce storage, among other projects. The VCDP’s primary objective is to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in these states. Beneficiaries, including farmer groups and cooperatives, contributed 30% of the cost for rice and cassava processing equipment to promote a sense of ownership.
Aliyu emphasized that women and youth have been prioritized within the program, noting that many have since become employers and active contributors to societal development.
Kush Kukwi, the Director of the Project Coordinating Unit at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, commended the successful implementation of the program in Nasarawa State. He encouraged beneficiaries to maintain the progress made in the rice and cassava value chains after the program concludes.
Eunice Adgidzi, the Nasarawa State Programme Coordinator of the VCDP, welcomed the dignitaries and explained that the program began in July 2020 across various local government areas. She reported that 4,023 farmers, including 2,364 men, 1,659 women, and 1,370 youths, have received support in the rice and cassava value chains.
A beneficiary, Bitrus Alaku, expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government and IFAD for their continued support, stating that the VCDP has significantly reduced poverty and improved food security in his community.
