The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are driving agricultural transformation in Niger State through the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). The initiative focuses on enhancing the rice and cassava value chains, with special attention to empowering women and youths.
Hajiya Hadizat Isah, the State Programme Coordinator, showcased the programme’s achievements during a media tour of key projects. She revealed that VCDP has established processing centres for women groups, enabling them to process rice locally and create sustainable markets for their produce.
“The processing unit empowers women to add value to their harvested rice, ensuring better market opportunities,” Isah explained.
She highlighted VCDP’s objectives, which include poverty reduction, food security improvement, and economic growth. “By training farmers in quality production techniques, we are contributing to food security and improving incomes in rural communities,” she said.
Farmers under the VCDP are gaining a competitive edge by using Faro 44, a long-grain rice variety that enhances product quality and boosts market demand. Additionally, the programme is mentoring youths in modern farming practices, with young farmers now training their peers in improved agronomic techniques to boost productivity and profitability.
Despite these successes, challenges such as insecurity and farmer illiteracy persist. “Insecurity in some local governments and limited technical understanding among farmers slow down progress,” Isah acknowledged.
Nevertheless, the VCDP is emerging as a model for agro-business development, drawing interest from other states and donors. The programme continues to empower rural communities, positioning agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and development.
