The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on Friday inaugurated a comprehensive agricultural support package in Kogi State, aimed at boosting productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting youth empowerment.
The initiative, under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), includes dry-season inputs, a seed testing laboratory, and training of youths in equipment fabrication.
Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, who inaugurated the programme in Lokoja, emphasized its importance 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 (LGAs) in Kogi State, with multiplier effects extending across the state.
Represented by Dr Adebola Iluromi, Director, Department of Donor Agencies, Ogunbiyi commended the Kogi State Government for its strong political will and prompt payment of counterpart funding obligations. He urged the state to institutionalize the programme by transforming it into a state agency after IFAD’s exit.
“The initiatives, including dry-season rice farming and provision of irrigation facilities, have improved productivity, income levels, and resilience among beneficiary farmers,” he said.
Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD-VCDP, listed the distributed items as improved rice seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and other materials to support dry-season rice cultivation.
According to Aliyu, the VCDP has empowered 5,877 farmers across the rice and cassava value chains in Kogi State, including 2,602 males, 3,275 females, and 2,101 youths.
“The programme has also trained 30 youths in equipment fabrication and maintenance, providing starter packs to kick-start their entrepreneurial journeys. A seed testing laboratory has been established to certify various categories of seeds,” Aliyu said.
She added, “Kogi has consistently distinguished itself in the effective implementation of VCDP. Farmers here quickly adopted dry-season rice farming, cultivating rice three to four times a year, boosting productivity, income, and food security.”
Timothy Ojomah, Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, praised the programme for empowering farmers and improving food security, aligning with Governor Ododo’s youth empowerment and agricultural development goals.
Dr Stella Adejoh, State Programme Coordinator, VCDP, highlighted that the programme would support 787 farmers with inputs and equipment during the dry season, covering 756 hectares in five LGAs: Lokoja, Ibaji, Kabba-Bunu, Ajaokuta, and Olamaboro. She commended the governor’s timely funding and commitment to agricultural development.
A beneficiary, Mr Moru Ahmed, Chairman of the Asco Ajaokuta cluster, expressed gratitude to the programme, saying, “We’re extremely thankful to FGN/IFAD-VCDP for empowering youth farmers at the grassroots. It has really improved our lives.” He assured that farmers would use the inputs and equipment effectively to achieve the programme’s goals.
Distributed Items:
The items distributed included 756 bags of improved rice seed, 3,024 bags of NPK fertilizer, 1,512 bags of urea, 1,512 units of herbicides, and critical processing equipment such as power tillers, hydraulic jacks, mechanized frying machines, rice polishers, colour sorters, parboiling pots, and industrial-scale machines covering 756 hectares.
