The Federal Government, on Friday, aimed at improving productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting youth empowerment.
The package includes the distribution of dry season inputs, establishment of a seed laboratory, and training of youths in equipment fabrication under the International Fund for Agricultural Development – Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP).
Launching the programme in Lokoja over the weekend, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, emphasized the importance of the initiatives in stimulating rural economic growth and improving food security.
According to Ogunbiyi, the VCDP has supported over 5,832 farmers across five Local Government Areas in Kogi State, with significant multiplier effects extending across the state.
Represented by Dr Adebola Iluromi, the Ministry’s Director, Department of Donor Agencies, Ogunbiyi commended the Kogi State Government for its strong political will and prompt payment of counterpart funding obligations to the programme.
He appealed to the state government to institutionalize the programme by transforming it into a state agency upon the exit of IFAD support.
“The initiatives, which include the introduction of dry-season rice farming and provision of irrigation facilities, have improved productivity, income levels, and resilience among beneficiary farmers,” he said.
The National Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, said the distributed items included improved rice seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and other complementary materials to support dry-season rice cultivation.
According to Aliyu, the VCDP has supported over 5,877 farmers across the rice and cassava value chains in Kogi State, with a focus on youth empowerment and mechanization.
She said that Kogi VCDP has supported a total of 5,877 farmers across the rice and cassava value chains, comprising 2,602 males, 3,275 females, and 2,101 youths.
“The programme has also empowered 30 youths from Kogi State with training in equipment fabrication and maintenance. The trained beneficiaries will be presenting them with starter packs to kick-start their entrepreneurial journeys.
“The programme has also established a seed testing laboratory to support the testing and certification of various categories of seeds. Kogi holds a special place in my heart, as the State has consistently distinguished itself in the effective implementation of the VCDP across participating States,”
“Kogi quickly adopted dry-season rice farming, enabling farmers to cultivate rice three to four times a year, boosting productivity, incomes, and food security,”Aliyu said.
The Commissioner Ojomah praised the federal government and IFAD-VCDP for empowering farmers, stressing that it has improved Kogi’s food security and farmers’ livelihoods.
Ojomah said the initiative supported Gov. Ododo’s youth empowerment and food security goals.
Earlier, Dr Stella Adejoh, State Programme Coordinator, highlighted the programme’s achievements in Kogi State in spite of economic challenges.
Dr Adejoh noted that the programme would support 787 farmers with inputs and equipment during the dry season, covering 756 hectares of farmland in five VCDP benefiting LGAs of Lokoja, Ibaji, Kabba-Bunu, Ajaokuta, and Olamaboro.
Adejoh praised Gov. Ododo for his support for the programme, especially for timely funding and commitment to agricultural development.
A beneficiary, Mr. Moru Ahmed, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We’re extremely thankful to FGN/IFAD-VCDP for empowering youth farmers at the grassroots. It’s really improved our lives.”
Ahmed, Chairman of the Asco Ajaokuta cluster, promised that farmers would use the inputs and equipment effectively to achieve the programme’s goals.
Items distributed include: 756 bags of improved rice seed; 3,024 bags of NPK fertilizer; 1,512 bags of urea; and 1,512 units of herbicideCritical processing equipment, including power tillers, hydraulic jacks, mechanized frying machines, rice polishers, colour sorters, parboiling pots, industrial scale machines etc, covering 756 hectares.
Other Dignitaries at the event included: Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade; Deputy Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Comfort Egwaba; Managing Director, Kogi ADP, Dr Bello Ogirima; and State Project Coordinator, Kogi L-PRES, Mr Abdulkabir Otaru, among others.
