The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has provided farming inputs to 121,000 smallholder farmers across nine states to boost food security. Fatima Aliyu, National Program Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Program (VCDP), announced this in Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the program’s 11th supervision mission.
Aliyu highlighted that the VCDP focuses on sustainable production, processing, and marketing of rice, cassava, and other crops. The nine states benefiting from the program include Nasarawa, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Ogun, Niger, Taraba, Kogi, and Enugu. The initiative aims to transform the lives of smallholder farmers, create jobs for women and youths, and increase the incomes of rural households.
She also mentioned the establishment of a Rice Innovation Centre in Ashangwa, Lafia, and an aggregation center for farm produce storage, among other projects. The VCDP’s primary goal is to improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in these states. Beneficiaries, including farmer groups and cooperatives, contributed 30% of the cost for rice and cassava processing equipment to encourage ownership.
Aliyu emphasized the priority given to women and youth, noting that many have become employers and contributors to societal growth.
Kush Kukwi, Director of the Project Coordinating Unit at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, praised the project’s implementation in Nasarawa State, urging beneficiaries to sustain the progress in rice and cassava value chains after the program concludes.
Eunice Adgidzi, Nasarawa State Programme Coordinator of the VCDP, welcomed dignitaries and explained that the program began in July 2020 across several local government areas. She noted that 4,023 farmers, including 2,364 men, 1,659 women, and 1,370 youths, have been supported in the rice and cassava value chains.
A beneficiary, Bitrus Alaku, expressed gratitude to the FGN and IFAD for their ongoing support, stating that the VCDP has reduced poverty and enhanced food security in his community.
