By Victoria Okpanachi
In a bid to strengthen food security, the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development (FG/IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP-AF) has flagged off the distribution of dry season inputs, empowerment of youth on fabrication with starter pack and commissioning of a seed lab.
Flagging off the distribution in Lokoja , the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, emphasised the importance of the initiatives in stimulating rural economic growth and strengthening food security.
The permanent secretary represented by Dr Adebola Iluromi, Director, Department of Donor Agencies, noted that the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has supported more than 5,832 farmers across five Local Government Areas in the state.
Related News
In her remark, National Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, said the objective of the programme is to enhance income and strengthen the food and nutrition security of rural households.
She further disclosed that a total of 5,877 farmers had been supported across the rice and cassava value chains in the state, comprising 2,602 males, 3,275 females and 2,101 youths, underscoring the programme’s strong focus on inclusivity of women and youth participation.
In her remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, urged beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the agricultural inputs for their own benefit and for the overall development of the state.
While commissioning the seed testing laboratory, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Dr Folashade Ayodele Ayoade, assured that the state would strictly comply with standard operating procedures to ensure the facility meets both national and international benchmarks.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, praised the Federal Government and IFAD-VCDP for the interventions, stressing that they aligned with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s agenda on youth empowerment and food security, while improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Earlier, the State Programme Coordinator, Dr Stella Adejoh, stated that during the dry season, the programme would support 787 farmers with inputs and equipment, covering a total of 756 hectares of farmland.
Items distributed includes 756 bags of improved rice seed, 3,024 bags of NPK fertiliser, 1,512 bags of urea, 1,512 units of herbicides, as well as processing equipment such as power tillers, rice polishers, colour sorters, mechanised frying machines and industrial-scale processing tools.
