By Kola Adeyemi
Lokoja – The FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP-AF) has flagged of the distribution of rice farming inputs to 560 vulnerable small farmholders in Kogi State.
Speaking at the Flag off ceremony in Lokoja on Thursday , the acting National Coordinator of VCDP-AF, Dr Fatimah Kabiru – Aliyu said that each of the benefitting farmers will receive 40kg certified rice seeds, two litres of herbicides, two bags of NPK fertiliser and one bag of urea fertiliser.
According to her, all the items are being given free of charge to the farmers who are all selected from four local government areas of the state.
The beneficiaries include 197 male farmers and 363 female farmers.
“VCDP will also provide extension services to targeted farmers who will receive trainings on good practices in the application of fertilizers and agro-chemicals as well as farm management and climate smart agriculture,” the Coordinator said.
To enhance transparency in the process, Aliyu stated that the Programme engaged the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) for the ” effective management of the input – supply, redemption and delivery in all the nine states through the voucher input redemption system.”
She said that the items were given to the farmers
specifically to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the agricultural sector particularly, for VCDP farmers.
She then appreciated the support of IFAD in Nigeria’s quest to improve the livelihoods of small holder farmers.
“We also appreciate the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammad Mahmood Abubakar, who is conscientiously working tirelessly to ensure that the agricultural sector goals of achieving food and nutrition security, employment creation and wealth generation amongst others are attained,” She said.
The Coordinator also thanked the governor of Kogi State , Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his commitment and support to the VCDP.
She assured the state government of the VCDP-AF support and collaboration to improve the livelihoods and income of rural farmers in the state.
Aliyu then implored the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs.
“The inputs are not meant to be sold out but for you to use them on your farms.
“We are going to support you with extension services and monitor your progress to ensure you have better yields to enhance your food security and incomes and ultimately your standard of living,” she said.
The VCDP, which is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture aims to improve the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in the production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava on a sustainable basis.
The Kogi State Coordinator of the programme, Dr Stella Adejoh listed construction of rice and cassava processing centre, solar powe boreholes and market stalls as some of the achievements recorded in the last few years.
Other projects and programmes carried out by Kogi IFAD/VCDP according to her include cultivation of 390 hectares of land for dry season farming at Karara and sponsorship of 20 youths in entrepreneurship at the National Institute of Roots and Tuber for training in the production of cassava stems.
She attributed the achievements recorded to the supportive role of the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who she described as the Peoples hope for Nigeria in 2023.
Adejoh commended the Federal Government for the initiative to improve the living standards of rural farmers in the state through the VCDP.
The state Commissioner for agriculture , Mr David Apeh thanked the Federal Government for the gesture , promising that the state government will ensure that the items reach the farmers. (vitalnews)
