The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is spearheading agricultural transformation in Niger State through the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). This initiative focuses on enhancing the rice and cassava value chains, with a particular emphasis on empowering women and youth.
Hajiya Hadizat Isah, the State Programme Coordinator, highlighted the programme’s milestones during a media tour of key projects. She revealed that VCDP has established processing centres for women groups, allowing them to process rice locally and access sustainable markets for their produce.
“The processing unit enables women to add value to their harvested rice, opening up better market opportunities,” Isah explained.
She also emphasized VCDP’s core objectives, which include reducing poverty, improving food security, and driving economic growth. “By training farmers in quality production techniques, we are enhancing food security and boosting incomes in rural areas,” she stated.
Farmers participating in the VCDP are gaining a competitive edge by adopting Faro 44, a premium long-grain rice variety that improves product quality and increases market demand. Moreover, the programme is mentoring youths in modern farming practices, with young farmers now teaching their peers advanced agronomic techniques to enhance productivity and profitability.
However, challenges such as insecurity and farmer illiteracy remain. “Insecurity in certain local governments and limited technical knowledge among farmers are hindering progress,” Isah acknowledged.
Despite these obstacles, the VCDP is emerging as a model for agro-business development, attracting interest from other states and donors. By empowering rural communities, the programme continues to position agriculture as a vital engine for economic growth and development.