Abakaliki, Nigeria – The Nigerian Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD/VCDP) has distributed farm inputs to 2,600 farmers in Ebonyi.
The inputs were distributed during the beginning of the Agency’s agricultural equipment/input distribution at the IFAD/VCDP office in Abakaliki.
Some of the equipment are: the rice planters and harvesters, de-stoning machines, water pumps, rice milling machines, and cassava processing machines.
Others include motorcycles, tricycles, thresher, stitching machines, and planters among others.
Speaking at the occasion, the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru, commended the IFAD/VCDP programme in the state, noting that the move would go a long way in tackling food insecurity.
The Governor, represented by his wife, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru, said his administration would continue to make agriculture one of his top priorities.
“This inputs are good in the efforts to encourage mechanised farming among farmers in the state and boost food productions.
“The state government is committed to continue to give the needed support to the federal government and IFAD in order to ensure the success of the programme in the state.
“I urge all the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment and the federal and state government at ensuring zero hunger for the citizens.
“You must work to make our state a hub for food production,” the Governor advised.
In his remarks, the National Programme Coordinator, Dr Fatima Aliyu, said the programme focused on the rural poor farmers.
Aliyu, represented by the the State Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD VCDP, Mr Sunday Ituma, explained that a total 2,600 farmers benefited from the inputs.
According to her, 1,000 farmers are for the dry season inputs. Another 1,000 persons are for equipment and 600 are beneficiaries for the wet season inputs.
A beneficiary, Mr Dickson Udu, said he was happy for the gesture and pledged to utilise the equipment.
