The Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD-VCDP), has begun the distribution of agricultural inputs and tricycles to 352 farmers in Nasarawa State for the 2025 farming season.
Mr Tanko Tunga, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Agriculture flagged off the distribution exercise on Wednesday in Lafia.
He noted that the initiative was aimed at boosting food production, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
“This intervention will not only boost agricultural productivity but also enhance rural incomes, create opportunities for our youths and women, and move us closer to food self-sufficiency,” Tunga said.
The commissioner urged the benefiting farmers to use the items judiciously.
He commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for providing the enabling environment that had ensured the success of agricultural programmes in the state.
Earlier, Dr Eunice Adgidzi, the State Programme Coordinator of FGN/IFAD- VCDP, described the event as “another milestone” in efforts to empower farmers and strengthen food systems in the state.
Adgidzi said that the programme, which targets smallholder farmers in rice and cassava value chains, was part of ongoing efforts to transform agriculture into a driver of food security, wealth creation, and sustainable development in Nasarawa State
According to her, the 352 benefiting farmers are drawn across the five intervention local government areas in the State – Lafia, Nasarawa, Doma, Karu, and Wamba.
She listed the inputs being distributed to include: 9,600 kilogrammes of improved rice seed, 1,408 bags of NPK fertiliser, 384 bags of Urea fertiliser, 352 litres of non-selective herbicide, 352 litres of selective herbicide, and 8,000 bundles of cassava stem cuttings.
Also distributed were nine tricycles to selected farmers to ease transportation of produce to markets, there reducing post-harvest losses.
Adgidzi pointed out that the collaboration between the Federal Government, IFAD, and the state government reflects a commitment to provide farmers with the tools they need to succeed.
She added that the intervention would help reduce poverty and improve resilience among rural households.
Responding, some of the beneficiaries, Lazarus Okwugya from Assakio, Joseph Abimiku and Fatima Shuaibu from Azuba community, appreciated VCDP for the various interventions, which they said had impacted greatly on the yield and livelihoods. (NAN).