The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has distributed farm inputs to 1,629 benefiting farmers in Ebonyi for the 2026 wet season.
The State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD–VCDP, Chief Sunday Ituma said the programme which is in conjunction with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) was committed to improving the productivity of Ebonyi farmers.
Ituma said that the farmers accessed inputs such as rice seedings, cassava cuttings, herbicides, bags of fertilizers among others, to enhance farming productivity.
“The programme has supported 21, 628 farmers since inception and injected over N18billion into the economy of Ebonyi.
“We have contributed immensely towards increased food production and raised the productivity index of benefiting farmers in the state,”
The SPC appreciated Governor Francis Nwufuru for his support for the programme which has enabled it meet set goals.
“We urge benefitting farmers not to sell the items but make judicious use of them to enhance productivity.
“Anybody caught doing so would be arrested and prosecuted,”.
The State Commissioner Agricuture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku commended Gov. Nwufuru for his continued support and commitment which has greatly transformed the sector.
“The governor understnads that agriculture is not just about farming but food security, poverty reduction, empowerment and economic development of Ebonyi people.
“I commend IFAD for its intervention through the value chain development programme on rice and cassava which has contributed meaningfully to agricultural developmen in rural areas.
“We would as a government, continue support our farmers and work with developmental partners to bring more agricultural opportunities to our people,”.
The National Programme Coordinator of IFAD–VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu said the programme is committed to sustain its partnership with the Ebonyi government due to existing structures and designs.
Aliyu represented by Mr Nura Lawal said the programme is well structured to instill appreciable levels of ownership to real stakeholders in the downstream.
The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Hillary Obiesie, said the ministry will strive towards actualising the state government’s mandate for the agricultural sector.
Goodwill messages were delivered at the occasion by the Ebonyi Agricultural Development Programme, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, agro–dealers among others.
Mrs Rose Aligwe, One of the beneficiaries, thanked IFAD–VCDP for the gesture and pledged to make judicious use of the items.
