By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says it budgeted N56 million for the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) for this year’s farming season in Anambra.
The Programme Coordinator, Mr Nnamdi Agwuncha, made this known on Friday at the commencement of Value Chain Input Distribution Programme in Orumba South and Awka North Local Government Areas of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that inputs distributed include certified rice seeds, cassava stems, NPK and Urea fertilisers and agro-chemicals, such as herbicide and pesticide.
Agwuncha said the programme was designed to ensure that farmers got and used quality and improved agro-input to increase their production and yield.
“The monetary value for this year’s input distribution is estimated at about N56 million and our target is to make multiple of that amount at the end of the farming season.
“Our farmers performed well in the previous season but we hope they improve on their performance this season.
“On rice, we expect a minimum of five to seven metric tonnes per hectare on the average.
“Also on cassava, we are expecting between 25 and 30 metric tonnes per hectare on the average,’’ Agwuncha said.
He said that IFAD-VCDP and the state government had constituted Farmers-Herders Conflict Resolution Committee to check clashes arising from invasion of farmlands.
He urged the farmers to take up agricultural insurance policy to get cover against unforeseen disasters and attacks that might lead to losses.