The mission team of the Federal Government/ IFAD Value Chain Development Program has expressed satisfaction with the impressive results of the IFAD VCDP project in Niger State.
Members of the mission team gave this impression during a courtesy visit to the Niger State governor at the Government House Minna.
The Country Director, IFAD VCDP, Mrs. Dede Ekoue who applauded the agricultural transformation in the State by the farmer governor said his commitment to empowering small holder farmers has been key to the success of IFAD VCDP in Niger State stressing that, the ripple effects of the achievement in Niger state goes beyond Africa.
She also acknowledged that the achievements of VCDP Program in Niger State is very impressive and connected its success to the cooperation of the State government, the benefitting farmers and the business community adding that, what the program has been able to achieve in Niger State where 55,000 farmers and agro processors are being supported,is going to be leveraged on to invest more money in Nigeria.
The National Program Coordinator, IFAD VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu disclosed that, the program is being implemented across nine Local Government Areas of Niger State with Intensive training of youth on mechanisation in agro fabrication, agro production and refresher trainings while also revealing that Niger State is one of the States VCDP is piloting to have developed products from financial institution partners with Agro processor loans.
She also revealed that Niger State is one of the flagship States of VCDP which is why the $3.5m grant for the Agricultural Small holder Adaptation Project ASAP, Project for climate change, only Niger and Kogi States will benefit with Niger State to have 19,000 beneficiaries which is also in addition to the Good Agricultural Practices GAP trainings for beneficiaries and expanded financial inclusions.
The mission technical lead, Mrs. Adeline Muheebwa in her remarks, .said consultants and technical specialists from eight different Countries have come to look at remarkable progresses made in Niger State where alot has been achieved and used the forum to appreciate the political will and support of the farmer governor which has been instrumental to the success of the program in Niger State.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Mathew Ahmed acknowledged the efforts of IFAD VCDP in helping the State to be on the right track in agricultural transformation adding that the program has been implemented in the State for the past 11 years with lots of achievements.
Farmer Governor Umaru Bago, represented by the Secretary to the State Government Abubakar Usman appreciated the assessment team and disclosed that the state will continue to work and partner IFAD and provide enabling environment for the scheme to succeed even as he acknowledged all the partnership and collaborations received from local and international development partners.
He said, the state government has a deliberate policy to make sure that the State utilizes its vast natural resources and human capital to ensure agriculture is a success describing agriculture as the main pillar of the new Niger agenda and that the State government is ready to learn from all the recommendations the team will be making after it concludes its mission.
He reiterated the commitment of the farmer governor to ensure that all counterpart fundings are paid to enable more farmers to benefit.
