The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has lauded the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) for its impact on the productivity of the state’s rural farmers.
The House Committee of Assembly Committe on Agriculture and Natural Resources, made the commendation during its oversight funtion to the programme, noting that it has also enhanced the farmers’ livelihood through numerous interventions.
The Chairman of the Committe, Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu said that IFAD–VCDP’s numerous interventions in the state, have opened the activities of Ebonyi State farmers to global access.
“The long term commitment of the IFAD–VCDP’s State programme Cordinator (SPC) Chief Sunday Ituma has strengthened agricultural value chains in Ebonyi and generally benefited farmers.
“Ebonyi is an agrarian state and agencies which collaborate with the state government to achieve its agricultural goals, should be supported”
The committe chairman said the oversight was to review the IFAD-VCDP’s performances since the past year, identifying its achievements and challenges in the process.
“The House of Assembly is committed to support policies and legislation that would consolidate agricultural growth and rural development in Ebonyi.”
The SPC of IFAD–VCDP, Chief Sunday Ituma while presenting the progress report, said the programme was being implemented in conjunction with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).
“The programme’s cardinal objective is to enhance sustainable incomes and food security for poor rural households, engaging in the production and processing of rice and cassava among other interventions.
“The programme is being implemented in eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) across of the state with 23,163 farmers already profiled.
“18, 083 beneficaries have been supported by the programme as at December 31, 2025,” he said.
He noted that all components in the programme’s manual and budget are delivered in Ebonyi State and include: construction of market infrastructure, culverts, rural roads, solar-powered boreholes, irrigation facilities among others.
“We have also stablished processing centers, seed laboratory, farmers’ field and business schools, land development and clearing, provision of farm inputs among others.
“We appeal to the State House of Assembly to pass a law transiting IFAD-VCDP into a state government agency.
“This is to sustain the achievements of the programme after its exit,”.
Members of the committee including Hon. Godwin Abiri, Hon. Steve Igwe, Hon. Chinyere Nwogbaga, Hon. Victor Nwoke and Hon. Arinze Lucas Chukwu commended IFAD–VCDP for its glowing interventions in the state.
“The intervention has ensured food soverveignty and transformation of the agricultural sector in the state .
“We urge the programme to expand coverage to the remaining LGAs of the state, to ensure more farmers benefit from the initiative,”.
The Agricultural Production Officer (IPO) of IFAD , Mr Darlington Ongele thanked the committee for the visit noting that it was needful and timely.
