By George George Idowu
The Federal Government, through its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP-AF), on Monday, distributed rice inputs to 534 farmers in Kogi State to boost rice production in the state.
The initiative, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to bolster agricultural activities amidst economic challenges.
The distributed items included NPK and Urea fertilizers, herbicides, solar-powered water pumps, and high-quality rice seeds.
The input distribution, tagged “2023/2024 Dry Season Input Distribution to VCDP Rice Farmers,” was inaugurated by the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Timothy Ojomah, at the Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) office in Lokoja.
Commending the Federal Government and IFAD-VCDP for the initiative, the Commissioner affirmed the state government’s commitment to provide unwavering support to farmers and agricultural programs.
He reiterated the government’s dedication to creating a conducive environment for farmers to maximize food production in the state.
Dr. Fatima Aliyu, the National Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, highlighted the program’s objective to boost rice production and alleviate economic strains.
She appreciated the strong support of the Kogi state government, emphasizing the importance of continuous high-quality seed supply to ensure food security and enhance value chain food production.
Dr. Stella Adejoh, the State Programme Coordinator, emphasized IFAD-VCDP’s support to farmers across five local government areas in Kogi state to increase rice yield.
She underscored the initiative’s role in mitigating economic challenges and improving farmers’ livelihoods through training, financial inclusion, and empowerment programs.
Adejoh urged farmers to utilize the distributed inputs effectively to achieve the goal of boosting rice production and ensuring food security.
Expressing gratitude, beneficiaries such as Mrs. Victoria Enebi, Samuel Ayuba, and Mrs. Olushola Adetunji, lauded the VCDP for its continuous support and empowerment programs, acknowledging the significant impact on their rice production endeavors.