IFAD distributes inputs to 120 Farmers in Taraba, Charges beneficiaries to enhance food security

By Olaseinde Gbenga

To enhance wet season rice and cassava farming, the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) has distributed agro-inputs to 120 farmers in Taraba State.

Flagging off the input distribution exercise at the weekend in Jalingo, the Governor of the State, Darius Ishaku, praised IFAD-VCDP for its various interventions in rice and cassava production, processing and marketing in the state, saying they were result-oriented.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Yusufu Gadi, the Governor tasked beneficiaries on putting the inputs to maximum use to enhance food security in the state as well as for increased financial benefits. On his part, State Programme

Coordinator, IFAD-VCDP, Mr Irimiya Musa, noted that the distribution was to support cassava and rice farmers in the three new VCDP intervening Local Government Councils of Bali, Donga and Jalingo.

According to him, a total of 120 farmers were identified and validated by IFAD-VCDP national office in Abuja to benefit from the inputs earmarked for Taraba farmers in 2022, appealing for more inputs for the state in subsequent allocations given the state’s vast agricultural potential for rice and cassava.

Musa informed that the programme, funded by a tripartite arrangement of the Federal Government, IFAD and participating states, was aimed at developing rice and cassava value chains towards ensuring food security.

Also, the IFAD State Programme Coordinator said the VCDP was benefiting nine states including Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun and Taraba.