FG/IFAD: Nasarawa State To Become Agricultural Economy Hub Of Nigeria.

Hajia Fatima Aliyu stated this during the flag-off of the 2024 farm inputs distribution and equipment for VCDP farmers in the state in Lafia.

Hajiya Aliyu, represented by the National Procurement Advisor, VCDP, Yakubu Baba, said that the initiative has demonstrated the commitment toward supporting agricultural growth in Nasarawa state for food security and sustainability.

She emphasize that the Federal Government/ International Fund for Agricultural Development (FG/IFAD) –  Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), distributed farm inputs and equipment to 282 farmers in the State to boost production.

The National Programme Coordinator said the farm inputs and equipment included fertilizers, herbicide, rice seeds, and home garden seeds empowering women.

She listed others to include Power tillers, solar-powered knapsack sprayers, irrigation pumps, Rice threshers, solar-powered irrigation pumps, Rice reapers, Mechanical rice transplanters and Tricycle with trailers.

“We want to see effective usage of these inputs, we want you to be able to transform Nasarawa state into the agricultural economy hub of Nigeria,” she urged.

Aliyu commended Gov Abdullahi Sule for his support of agricultural development and food security.

Meanwhile, Nasarawa state Coordinator, FG/IFAD -VCDP, Dr Eunice Adgidzi, said the Nasarawa state VCDP since inception has been working assiduously to fulfill the mandate of the Programme.

She said the beneficiaries comprised VCDP farmers’ organisations were drawn from 5 Local Government Areas; Lafia, Doma, Karu, Wamba and Nasarawa respectively.

Adgidzi thanked Gov Sule for the prompt released and payment of the 2023/2024 counterpart funds and sundry supports to agricultural development in the state.

Speaking, Gov Abdullahi Sule represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, Hajiya Munira Abdullahi, thanked FG/IFAD VCDP for selecting Nasarawa state as one of the beneficiaries of the programme.

Sule said his administration was committed to providing an enabling environment and support that was needed for initiatives such as this to enhance food security.

“Because the state is very particular about funding for such initiatives to encourage and boost agriculture production.

Gov Sule noted that the Nasarawa state VCDP aimed at reducing poverty, accelerating economic growth, and increasing food security as well as the income of small-scale farmers engaging in the production, processing, and marketing of cassava and rice.