FG, IFAD Distribute Agro Inputs To Rice Farmers In Enugu

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Sunday, May 29th, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Federal Government in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing (VCDP) has distributed farm Agro inputs to rice farmers in Enugu State, South East Nigeria.
Flag-off of the distribution took place weekend at Oduma Community, in the Aninri Council Area of Enugu

Some of the items distributed to the identified profiled farmers who were mostly women includes bags of Fertilizers, Rice and Herbicides.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Fatima Aliyu, the National Programme Coordinator, IFAD/VCDP, Nigeria, urged the farmers to put the inputs to good use.

Represented by the IFAD/VCDP Advisor Human Resources, Mr Gidado Bello, the Coordinator disclosed that the project was jointly funded by the Federal Government and IFAD.

“This Agro input distribution was made possible through the International Fund for Agricultural Development, COVID-19 Rural Poor Stimulus Facility and the Value Chain Development Programme.

“It is domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the project aids to improve income and food security of all the rural households.

The aim of the project is for production, to enhance food security and accelerate recovery from the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

In his remark, Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Mathew Idu, expressed happiness with the programme, saying famers in the State under the governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration benefited from the Federal Government project.

He said: “I wish to tell you that, more are still coming with the proper management of the Agro Inputs and bumper harvest from these ones,”Idu said.

He however, urged the famers not to sell the inputs for money as they would gain much from farming than selling it out.

Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council in Aninri Local Government and Oduma Communities, Igwe Daniel Njoku, gave IFAD assurance that the Agro inputs would be judiciously used.

Njoku thanked the Federal and State Government and also promised that the Agro Inputs would be shared among the profiled and beneficial farmers to ensure food security in the state.

The representative, International Fertilizers Centre, Mrs Ifeoma Ugwu, said that they were in the state to ensure proper distribution of the Agro inputs.

She advised the farmers to come with their identity card or profile number sent to them for authentication and collection.

Expressing their feeling, a benefactor, Mrs Evelyn Nwaru, advised the government and IFAD to carry out a routine check on the farmers to ensure success of the project.