The Niger Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing (VCDP+AF) have recorded significant milestones in the rice and cassava value chains in the state.
Hadizat Isah, Coordinator of the Niger State Programme Management Unit (SPMU), disclosed this during a Steering Committee meeting in Minna on Saturday.
Presenting the programme’s achievement report, Isah said VCDP+AF had continued to meet its targets despite operational challenges. She noted that the programme has delivered notable progress in supporting smallholder farmers, improving market access and expanding agribusiness opportunities.
She highlighted achievements in farmer capacity-building, provision of climate-smart inputs, rehabilitation of rural infrastructure and facilitation of public-private partnerships.
According to her, thousands of beneficiaries have been empowered through training, enterprise development and the adoption of improved technologies, resulting in higher productivity and increased incomes.
Isah reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity and improving rural livelihoods, while commending the support of Gov. Umaru Bago, IFAD and the Federal Government. She described their contributions as critical to the programme’s success and called for sustained collaboration to consolidate ongoing gains.
In his remarks, Dr Matthew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Agriculture and Chairman of the Steering Committee, lauded the achievements recorded so far. He restated the government’s commitment to strengthening policies and creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.
Ahmed urged the committee to continue providing strategic direction to ensure the programme meets its set targets.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from relevant ministries, departments and agencies to review progress under the programme and chart the way forward.
