The Federal Government of Nigeria, in conjunction with the International Fund for Agricultural Development/Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), on Tuesday distributed 33 cargo tricycles to rice and cassava farmers in Kogi.
The Federal Government/IFAD-VCDP project gesture was to ease the challenge of produce transportation and enhance agricultural productivity in the state.
The State Project Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Stella Adejoh, said the beneficiaries cut across five local government areas of Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Kabba-Bunu, Lokoja, and Olamaboro.
Adejoh explained that the tricycles were procured under a joint funding arrangement where farmers contributed 30 per cent of the cost while IFAD-VCDP provided the remaining 70 per cent.
According to her, the initiative was a response to persistent pressure from farmers who had consistently raised concerns about the high cost and difficulty of transporting produce from farm to processing and market points.
“We procured 33 tricycles, an intervention aimed at easing transportation challenges and reducing post-harvest losses among our rice and cassava farmers.
“The provision of the tricycles will significantly boost productivity and income, particularly for women and youth farmers who often face mobility limitations.
“The distribution marks another step in strengthening agricultural value chains in Kogi State, improving food security, and boosting rural economic development through farmer-centred interventions and sustainable livelihoods support,” she said.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, described the intervention as a major milestone that aligns with Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo’s vision of making Kogi a leading hub for agricultural production in Nigeria.
Ojomah commended the Kogi IFAD-VCDP Coordinator and her team for working diligently in line with the state government to ensure that value-driven agricultural support reaches farmers who need it most.
The commissioner noted that beyond tricycles, the state in collaboration with IFAD-VCDP has distributed several farm inputs, improved crop seedlings, processing equipment, and other empowerment tools in recent months.
He appealed to the programme financiers to extend the intervention beyond the current five local government areas and to prolong the duration of the project to enable more farmers to benefit.
Ojomah congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to maximise the economic potential of the tricycles.
“Many people earn a living from the use of cargo tricycles. I want you to take this as an opportunity not only to reduce your transportation costs but also to expand your income streams,” he advised.
He urged the beneficiaries to continue supporting the present administration and assured them that the ministry would continue to deliver development-orientated programmes for the good of the people.
Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ikojo Ojomakocho from Olamaboro and Abiodun Alonge from Kabba-Bunu, both expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, IFAD-VCDP, and the Kogi State Government for the gesture.
They described the gesture as timely, noting that it will reduce the stress and cost of conveying produce from farms to markets and processing centres.
They also acknowledged previous support provided by IFAD-VCDP, such as processing machinery, improved planting materials, and capacity building, among others.
