By Abdullahi Lukman
The federal government has empowered 27,302 farmers in Niger State to bolster their agricultural productivity and enhance food security across the country’s North-Central region.
The program, executed in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD-VCDP), is focused on strengthening local agricultural value chains and boosting the income of smallholder farmers.
In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, Mrs. Hadiza Isah, the State Programme Coordinator for the project, provided an update on the ongoing efforts.
She revealed that the beneficiaries of the program include 12,095 males and 9,132 females who have received extensive training in rice production and value addition.
Additionally, 3,035 males and 2,398 females have been trained in cassava production, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to improve both their yield and income.
The empowerment initiative is being rolled out in several local government areas (LGAs) across Niger State, including Bida, Katcha, Wushishi, Kontagora, Shiroro, Borgu, Edati, and Mokwa.
Mrs. Isah emphasized that the intervention is designed to address the pressing issues of poverty, food insecurity, and economic stagnation in rural communities by helping smallholder farmers increase their agricultural output and secure better livelihoods.
The overarching objectives of the VCDP include boosting agricultural productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing market access, and improving nutrition levels within rural communities.
Additionally, the program seeks to strengthen the agricultural value chain by incorporating sustainable practices, supporting local processors, and enhancing access to key resources such as fertilizers, improved seeds, and modern farming equipment.
As part of the program’s value chain focus, beneficiaries have been introduced to innovative rice and cassava processing techniques, which will enable them to add value to their produce and improve their economic returns.
In response to local demands, the VCDP has also facilitated the establishment of rice processing centers specifically designed for women’s groups, providing essential processing facilities that would not have been available otherwise.
“The impact of the VCDP has been far-reaching. The local population now has improved access to both food and income,” said Mrs. Isah.
She further explained that the establishment of rice processing centers has played a significant role in supporting local women’s groups, providing them with the necessary tools to process their rice locally and attract higher market prices.
“Rice produced in areas covered by the VCDP has a higher demand and market value compared to rice produced in local government areas that are not part of the program,” she added.
This success has not gone unnoticed. Mrs. Isah highlighted that the significant achievements of the program, particularly in the Edati Local Government Area, have attracted attention from neighboring areas that are now seeking to replicate the project.
She credited the program’s success to the adoption of good agronomic practices and the incorporation of local knowledge, which has resulted in improved agricultural outputs and better financial returns for the farmers involved.
One of the key strategies that has contributed to the success of the VCDP is its focus on integrating smallholder farmers into the formal agricultural value chain.
By providing access to markets, training on best farming practices, and empowering communities with processing equipment, the program is helping to close the gap between local producers and national or even international markets.
This integration not only improves farmers’ income but also contributes to the broader goal of reducing food insecurity and fostering sustainable economic growth in rural areas.
The VCDP initiative is also seen as a critical part of the government’s broader efforts to promote agricultural development and economic diversification in Nigeria.
By prioritizing agriculture, the program is helping to reduce the nation’s dependence on oil exports and create more stable, diverse sources of income for rural communities.
Looking ahead, Mrs. Isah expressed optimism about the future of the VCDP and its potential to transform agriculture in Niger State and beyond.
“As we continue to expand the program, we expect to see even more improvements in productivity, income levels, and overall food security.
“The benefits of this intervention go beyond just the farmers; they extend to their families and communities, contributing to the long-term development of the region,” she said.
