July 04, (THEWILL) – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), through its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), in collaboration with the Federal Government, has distributed farm inputs amounting to N52,000,000 to 300 cassava and rice farmers in Benue State.
The State Program Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Igbaukum, who disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony of the distribution in Makurdi, on Tuesday, explained that 300 farmers are to benefit from agro inputs support for both cassava and rice farmers.
He said, “The youth will be supported with Tricycles, Power Tillers, Knack Sack Sprayers, Water Pumps, Thrashers, Direct seeders, Rice Milling Machines, Rice Distoner, Weighing Scales, Bag Closers, and Packaging Materials.”
The Coordinator also listed other inputs including Grater, Pressers, Wet Hammer, Fryers, and Sieving Machine, saying IFAD-VCDP had prioritised non-diversion of fertilizers and other agro-inputs, as well as the quality of fertilizers to be distributed to the farmers.
He lamented that IFAD-VCDP had received reports of substandard fertilizers being sold to farmers, stressing that it cannot be tolerated.
He emphasised that it was their responsibility to ensure that only high-quality fertilizers reach farmers in order to boost productivity and pleaded with the Benue State Government to support the IFAD project with the timely release of counterpart funds for effective implementation of the project’s mandate.
In his speech, the National Programme Coordinator of the programme, Dr Fatima Aliyu, disclosed that IFAD was counting on the State Government’s continued support through timely payment of counterpart funds.
Represented by the National Procurement Officer, Mr Baba Yakubu, Aliyu assured the State Government of a sustained collaboration to improve and sustain the livelihoods as well as income of farmers in the state.
The Acting Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Nat Adzuu, lauded the intervention of IFAD, particularly the 2023 input distribution, stressing that it came at a critical time when prices of farm inputs had skyrocketed.
“This made it very difficult for our smallholder farmers to attain and expand their production potentials,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Fidelis Tarkende of the Commodity Alliance Forum, appreciated IFAD-VCDP for making the farm inputs distribution an annual event, assuring that they would make judicious use of the inputs for their overall good.
About the Author
