..flags off dry season agro input, equipment distribution 

The Federal Government of Nigeria, International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme, FGN/IFAD-VCDP has supported over 25,000 farmers in Benue state, investing over N10billion in 10 years to turnaround agricultural production and improve the livelihood of farmers in the state.

The National Programme Coordinator, NPC, of the FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu who made the disclosure Thursday at the flag-off of the 2024 Dry Season Agro Inputs Distribution in Makurdi said the programme had in 2024 invested over N2billion in the provision of critical infrastructures such as Rice and Cassava Processing Centers, Aggregation Centers, Mini Bridges, Solar Powered Boreholes, Market Stores, Warehouses in the state.

She noted that “the FGN/IFAD-VCDP recognized the challenge posed by difficult terrain, critical issue of water scarcity in rural areas, and provided facilities that are essential for improving the standard of living of her beneficiaries.

“These efforts are not only addressing the immediate needs of farmers but are also laying the foundation for a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous agricultural sector.

“Successes recorded during the programme implementation include increase in productivity of rice from 0.9 ton per hactare to an average of 4.5 per hectare, and cassava from 10 metric tonnes to 35 metric tonnes per hactare, over 1,500 hectares of land developed across the state, 25 Processing clusters upgraded, 50 Solar Powered Boreholes completed and most importantly over 5,000 youth and women gainfully employed through the programme activities, the provision of access road, mini bridges, culverts among others.”

The NPC who commended the roles being played by partners to ensure the success of the programme in the state, lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia for his continued support and commitment to agricultural development in the state.

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She stated that the Governor’s release of the counterpart fund for the programme “demonstrated his exceptional leadership and dedication to improving the livelihoods of farmers. Your support is a clear testament to your recognition of the vital role agriculture plays in the development of our nation.”

Governor Hyacinth Alia represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Moses Ogbaji who noted the important role agriculture plays in transforming lives said “it is the shortest way for the socio-economic emancipation of our state and that is why we are doing so much in the sector.”

The Governor who commended the impact the FGN/IFAD-VCDP was making in the state and the livelihood of the people said “that is why on assumption of office I wasted no time in releasing the accumulated counterpart fund and I am aware that it is remaining and it will be cleared soon.”

While lauding President Bola Tinubu for his policies to transform the agricultural sector, the Governor said the state had already keyed into the Federal Government’s initiative to revolutionise agricultural production in the country.

The State Programme Coordinator, SPC Emmanuel Igbaukum said the event marked “a significant step towards transforming our agricultural sector and enhancing the joint Food Security campaign of the Governor Hyacinth  Alia-led government and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.”

According to him, “today marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to enhance agricultural productivity improve food security, and empower our hardworking farmers, especially during the dry season when farming conditions are most challenging. The dry season offers a unique opportunity for farmers to diversify their crops, increase their yields, and improve their livelihoods, and the intervention is designed to help them achieve just that.

“This year, about 600 Farmers are to benefit from Agro Inputs Support for both Cassava and Rice Farmers amounting to N244,880,000 while 15 Youths will be supported with Tricycles, 60 with Power Tillers, Gas Cylinders, Water Pumps, industrial Stainless Mixer, Reapers, Rice Milling Machines, Rice Destoner, Rice Polisher, Weighing Scales, Bag Closers and Packaging Materials, Grater, Hydraulic Press, Wet hammer, Fryers, Sieving Machine, Weighing Scales and Bag Closer.

Igbaukum commended development partners, implementing partners, local stakeholders, the Federal Government and the Governor Hyacinth Alia-led administration for his unwavering support for the programme in the state which led to the reaching of hundreds of farmers in the state and improvement of the livelihoods of the people.

The event which was marked with the display of various farm products and processed food by beneficiaries also witnessed the presentation of awards to some of the farmers for their outstanding contributions to the success of the programme in their respective communities.

FGN/IFAD-VCDP has supported over 25,000 Benue farmers — NPC

..flags off dry season agro input, equipment distribution

The Federal Government of Nigeria, International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme, FGN/IFAD-VCDP has supported over 25,000 farmers in Benue state, investing over N10billion in 10 years to turnaround agricultural production and improve the livelihood of farmers in the state.

The National Programme Coordinator, NPC, of the FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu who made the disclosure Thursday at the flag-off of the 2024 Dry Season Agro Inputs Distribution in Makurdi said the programme had in 2024 invested over N2billion in the provision of critical infrastructures such as Rice and Cassava Processing Centers, Aggregation Centers, Mini Bridges, Solar Powered Boreholes, Market Stores, Warehouses in the state.

She noted that “the FGN/IFAD-VCDP recognized the challenge posed by difficult terrain, critical issue of water scarcity in rural areas, and provided facilities that are essential for improving the standard of living of her beneficiaries.

“These efforts are not only addressing the immediate needs of farmers but are also laying the foundation for a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous agricultural sector.

“Successes recorded during the programme implementation include increase in productivity of rice from 0.9 ton per hactare to an average of 4.5 per hectare, and cassava from 10 metric tonnes to 35 metric tonnes per hactare, over 1,500 hectares of land developed across the state, 25 Processing clusters upgraded, 50 Solar Powered Boreholes completed and most importantly over 5,000 youth and women gainfully employed through the programme activities, the provision of access road, mini bridges, culverts among others.”

The NPC who commended the roles being played by partners to ensure the success of the programme in the state, lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia for his continued support and commitment to agricultural development in the state.

She stated that the Governor’s release of the counterpart fund for the programme “demonstrated his exceptional leadership and dedication to improving the livelihoods of farmers. Your support is a clear testament to your recognition of the vital role agriculture plays in the development of our nation.”

Governor Hyacinth Alia represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Moses Ogbaji who noted the important role agriculture plays in transforming lives said “it is the shortest way for the socio-economic emancipation of our state and that is why we are doing so much in the sector.”

The Governor who commended the impact the FGN/IFAD-VCDP was making in the state and the livelihood of the people said “that is why on assumption of office I wasted no time in releasing the accumulated counterpart fund and I am aware that it is remaining and it will be cleared soon.”

While lauding President Bola Tinubu for his policies to transform the agricultural sector, the Governor said the state had already keyed into the Federal Government’s initiative to revolutionise agricultural production in the country.

The State Programme Coordinator, SPC Emmanuel Igbaukum said the event marked “a significant step towards transforming our agricultural sector and enhancing the joint Food Security campaign of the Governor Hyacinth  Alia-led government and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.”

According to him, “today marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to enhance agricultural productivity improve food security, and empower our hardworking farmers, especially during the dry season when farming conditions are most challenging. The dry season offers a unique opportunity for farmers to diversify their crops, increase their yields, and improve their livelihoods, and the intervention is designed to help them achieve just that.

“This year, about 600 Farmers are to benefit from Agro Inputs Support for both Cassava and Rice Farmers amounting to N244,880,000 while 15 Youths will be supported with Tricycles, 60 with Power Tillers, Gas Cylinders, Water Pumps, industrial Stainless Mixer, Reapers, Rice Milling Machines, Rice Destoner, Rice Polisher, Weighing Scales, Bag Closers and Packaging Materials, Grater, Hydraulic Press, Wet hammer, Fryers, Sieving Machine, Weighing Scales and Bag Closer.

Igbaukum commended development partners, implementing partners, local stakeholders, the Federal Government and the Governor Hyacinth Alia-led administration for his unwavering support for the programme in the state which led to the reaching of hundreds of farmers in the state and improvement of the livelihoods of the people.

The event which was marked with the display of various farm products and processed food by beneficiaries also witnessed the presentation of awards to some of the farmers for their outstanding contributions to the success of the programme in their respective communities.