Nasarawa State launches Value Chain Development Programme
By Amina Mohammed, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development has launched Value Chain Development Programme in the State to assist small-scale farmers.
The Programme, launched in Wamba LGA also featured the commissioning of Sisters market stores, and stalls, as well as solar-powered boreholes, aimed at enhancing the value chain in agriculture produce to meet international standards.Nasarawa State
The State Programme Coordinator, Dr. Eunice Adgidzi said the project is aimed at improving the livelihood of small-scale rice and cassava farmers in the locality and the state at large.
“The project amongst others is expect to improve the quality of rice and cassava production processing and marketing thereby enhancing more quality food supply in line with global best practices; create employment opportunities for many especially women and youths across Lafia, Doma, Karu, Nasarawa and Wamba LGAs of the State,” Dr. Adgidzi noted.
Agriculture growth
The programme is intended to focus more attention on agriculture growth with a view to transform the sector as the mainstay of the Nigerian economy for overall development of the state.
The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule said that his Administration would continue to align with the policies of the Nigerian Government in collective commitment to provide the desired development for the people of the State.
He said; “Our profound appreciation to the FGN/IFAD- Value Chain Development Programme for the choice of Nasarawa State to host this all-important event. This is based on the fact that Nasarawa State is one of the beneficiaries for the additional financing of the programme”.
“As you are aware, the Value Chain Development Programme is the initiative of the Nigerian Government, geared towards diversifying the economy as an alternative source of revenue. The programme is intended to focus more attention on agriculture growth with a view to transform the sector as the mainstay of the Nigeria economy for overall development,” Governor Sule added.
Value chain development programme is an initiative of theNigerian government of Nigeria and international fund for agriculture development (IFAD) which started in Nasarawa State on the 1st July 2020 with the ultimate mandate of improving rice and cassava value chains for small scale farmers in the State.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
