We supported 262 rice, cassava farmers in Anambra — IFAD-VCDP official
The International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), says it supported 262 rice farmers to cultivate 214 hectres under its Rural Poor Stimulus Facility to cushion the COVID-19 effects within three years in Anambra.
Mr Emmanuel Agwuncha, State Programme Co-ordinator, IFAD-VCDP, disclosed this while presenting Internal Mid-Term Review Progress Report to IFAD-VCDP Mid-Term Review Mission, led by Prof. Jones Lemchi, on Wednesday in Awka.
Agwuncha, who indicated that the report covers June 1, 2019, to Oct. 31, 2022, said that 8, 500kg of certified rice seeds, 460kg NPK fertilizer, 230 bags of urea and 250 litres of non-elective herbicides were distributed.
He said that the inputs to farmers made significant impact in the lives of farmers and the entire state.
“The average yield of the farmers was 2.5 tonnes per hactre for rice and nine tonnes per hectres of cassava before the interventions of FGN/IFAD-VCDP.
“Since the intervention in 2015, the farmers average yield for both rice and cassava improved from 2.5 tonnes for rice to six tonnes, while cassava increased to 30 tonnes,” he said.
Agwuncha said the food production by the rural farmers helped to stabilize the price of these staple foods in the communities.
He listed eight Local Government Areas of Anambra North, Anambra East, Orumba South, Orumba North, Ayamelum, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Awka North areas as the benefiting councils.
Agwuncha used the medium to call on the federal to approve two farming season for the country.
He explained that the two seasons would enable farmers in Anambra in particular, and other southern states who usually record early raining season, to plant in time.
Agwuncha noted that if necessary actions are taken, Nigeria would be capable to achieve food sufficiency and reduce poverty using agricultural activities.
Prof. Jones Lemchi, the Team Leader IFAD-VCDP Mid Term Review Mission to Anambra, said the team is impressed with the activities of the agency.
He challenged the state government to do more in the area of counterpart funding for more farmers to be engaged.
