Agriculture inputs worth over ₦134 million have so far been distributed to farmers in Anambra State by the Federal government and other agriculture-based organisations.
The farm inputs are distributed to farmers involved in wet season rice and cassava cultivation in the area.
This distribution by the federal government is in conjunction with the Nigerian / International Food and Agriculture Development-Value Chain Development Programme IFAD-VCDP.
According to the commissioner for Agriculture Dr Foster Ihejiofor, while monitoring the distribution of the inputs to farmers at Umunze, Orumba South and Achalla, Awka North Local Government area said,
The inputs comprising bags of NPK and Urea fertilizers, cassava cuttings, rice seed and litres of selective and non-selective herbicides came from the partnership between the state and FGN/IFAD-VCDP.
“In line with the partnership, a benefiting farmer who must be a member of cooperative society paid 50 per cent of the cost while the remaining 50 per cent was paid by the state government and FGN/IFAD-VCDP”.
Ihejiofor impressed with the commitment shown by the farmers, said that the government expected that beneficiaries should ensure the production of more foods.
“You should ensure that the inputs you received are put into use by producing more foods to reduce the high cost of foods.
“Do not sell the inputs in the markets because anyone caught in such act would be sanctioned because the state government intends to make Anambra a food basket of the country”, he said.
Mr Emmanuel Agwuncha, State Programme Coordinator, FGN /IFAD-VCDP, Anambra said the group was funding farmers who cultivate between one and five hectares of rice or cassava.
“Each cassava farmer is expected to get 200kg of NPK, two litres of selective and non-selective herbicides and 50 bundles of certified cassava cutting.
“For rice farmers, each person will get 200 kg of NPK, 100kg of Urea fertilizers, two litres of selective and non-selective herbicides and 40kg of certified faro 44 rice seeds”, he said.
He regretted that the redemption of the inputs was coming a bit late, saying that the delay was due to the late passage of their budget.
“Our budget for the year 2022 was approved sometime in May/June last year, we usually begin our budget process from Community levels before the steering committee’s approval.
“After that, we move to federal level where the delay often occurs, but if after the approval by the steering committee, we are permitted to execute our budgets, the delay will no longer occur”, he said.
Agwuncha who encouraged farmers to take advantage of opportunities available to increase yields added that a lot of opportunities abound for participating farmers.
“Some farmers are already getting six tons from one hectare, we do not want to go down and we are ready to support you to even do more.
“We have enough extension officers, we have a farmer-field business school where farmers learn and we equally have demonstration plus in each of the clusters, you should make full use of these opportunities”, he stated.
Mr Vincent Okeke, an official of the Project Coordinating Unit, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Awka said the performance of the farmers and IFAD-VCDP officials at the event impressed him.
A beneficiary from Umunze, Mr James Igweka appreciated the FGN/IFAD-VCDP and Anambra government for the programme and assured them that they will not betray the terms of the partnership.
Dominica Nwabufo
