From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)’s Value Chain Development programme (VCDP) on Thursday flagged off input support and distribution to 129 rice farmers across seven Local Government councils of Taraba.
Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba, who flagged off the event at a ceremony in Jalingo, commended the efforts of FGN IFAD-VCDP at boosting rice production, processing and marketing in the state over the years.
Represented by Prof. Nicholas Namessan, the Taraba Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, the governor said the state government has place priority on agriculture, given it role in ensuring food security for the people.
He explained that Taraba was up -to -date with payment of counter part funding for VCDP and would continue to do so for the benefit of the people.
While advising benefiting farmers to use the inputs for the purpose intended, the governor warned them against selling the inputs meant to boost rice production in the state.
“Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to benefitting farmers to use the input for the purpose intended.
“Government will not take it lightly with any farmer caught diverting or reselling the inputs,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Irimiya Musa, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC), explained that the VCDP intervention which was happening in nine states of the federation was aimed at improving the living condition of the rural poor.
He named the nine states with the mandate to develop a value Chain for rice and cassava as Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Niger, Ogun, Taraba, Enugu, Nasarawa and Kogi.
Musa also noted that the 129 beneficiaries in Taraba were drown from Ardo-kola, Bali, Donga, Gassol , Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Takum and Wukari Local Government councils which were among the eight councils were the programme was being implemented.
“The benefitting farmers would be supported with inputs for 1 or 2 hectares in consonance to their submitted and approved business plans.
“However, the benefitting farmers will pay 50 per cent of the total cost of the inputs allocated while the programme pays the balance of 50 per cent known as Matching Grant Model,” he said.
