The Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with the assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has distributed cassava and rice inputs to 1,495 farmers in Enugu State.
Recall that the 2022 wet season input distribution was flagged-off at Enugu East Local Government Area.
In his welcome address, Dr Chyka Unamma, the Agricultural Production Adviser, IFAD-VCDP, said the rural farmers were duly registered and profiled.
Unamma who represented the National Programme Coordinator, IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, said the programme provided improved inputs for food sufficiency.
“We do not aim at providing improved inputs alone but ensure it reached the final end of targeted, 1,495 farmers with 208 hectares of farmland in the state.
“IFAD-VCDP get land, develop them, give it to farmers and any land we developed will be given to farmers for 10 years programme,” he said.
Dr Edward Isiwu, the state coordinator of VCDP, said the inputs given to the farmers were improved ones from a satisfied institute.
“The cassava inputs are improved ones, known as TMA 419 from the National Roots Research Institute, Umudike, Umuahia.
“Here we have, Rice, Fertilizer and Agro Chemicals, we have prepared 30 hectares of farmland in Enugu East for the farmers.
“We are also preparing another 30 hectares at Udenu for the famers from that local government Area,” he said.
He said that five LGAs of the state are beneficiaries based on their area of advantage as Udenu, Enugu East and part of Isi-Uzo are profiled for cassava production.
“Aninri, Nkanu East and part of Isi-Uzo are for rice farming and their soil had been tested to be the best for the inputs.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Mathew Idu, lauded the programme, saying that the inputs were improved ones.
Idu, who represented Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, said the government expected a bountiful yield from the famers.
“I do not want to believe that the farmers here will sell the inputs, because they are profiled and satisfied farmers from the rural areas,” Idu said.
Mr Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuozor, Chairman, APEX farmers in Enugu East, thanked FG, IFAD and VCDP for the inputs and promised that they would be well utilised.
He said that the farmers had been trained by agriculture professionals on the best farming procedures and that they would adhere to it to ensure good harvest.