FG and IFAD have empowered 1,918 Nasarawa farmers with improved inputs and tricycles to boost food security and agricultural productivity.
In a proactive move to strengthen rural livelyhood and food security, the Federal Government of Nigeria in synergy with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, has distributed improved farm inputs and 22 tricycles to 1,918 farmers in Nasarawa State through its Value Chain Development Programme.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of Farm inputs and Tricycles for 2026 Wet Season Farming in Lafia, Commissioner for Agriculture, Nasarawa state, Umaru Tanko-Tunga, described agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to support farmers.
According to him, the distribution of quality farm inputs and tricycles would improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen the rice and cassava value chains across Nasarawa State.
He, however, disclosed that about 31 rice farmer organisations and 23 cassava farmer organisations, drawn from 76 farmer groups, would benefit from the intervention.
He revealed that the distribution included 9,750 kilograms of certified rice seeds, 7,000 bundles of improved cassava stems, 670 litres of herbicides, 1,340 bags of NPK fertilizer, 390 bags of Urea fertilizer, and 22 tricycles for farmers.
The representative of the National Program Coordinator of VCDP, Mr. Musa Dalą, applauded the Nasarawa State Government for its tremendous support to the programme, particularly its prompt payment of counterpart funding, which has helped sustain the initiative in the state and called on farmers to make good use of the inputs.
Several speakers delivered goodwill messages, including the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Dr. Peter Akwe, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Hajiya Salamatu Osaze who both appreciated VCDP for supporting farmers in Nasarawa State, which they noted had undeniably improved their livelihoods.
The State Coordinator of VCDP, Dr. Eunice Adigizi, said the program is geared toward improving agricultural productivity, enhancing rural livelihoods, and strengthening food security, among other interventions adding that thousands of smallholder farmers have benefited from the program in the state.
Some of the benefiting farmers from various local government areas expressed gratitude to VCDP for the life-changing opportunity and promised to make adequate use of the farm inputs for their intended purpose.
