•••As Soludo Promises Counterpart Funding
By John Ugo, Awka
Over 191 farmers affected by the recent flood disaster in Anambra State on Thursday received water pumps and high resistant inputs to boost rice farming during this dry season in the State.
The inputs worth N595million which include pumping machines, resistant rice and other agricultural inputs were distributed to the farmers affected by the recent flood disaster in the state through the State IFAD/FGN assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) held in Awka the state capital.
Speaking during the distribution ceremony, the Acting National Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP? Dr. Fatima K. Aliyu said the agro inputs and water pumps were meant to boost dry season farming.
She disclosed that a total of 1, 495 farmers would be supported by the body across nine VCDP participating states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun and Taraba to produce rice during the current dry season under irrigation.”
By this, each farmer is expected to cultivate one hectare of rice farm land.
Dr. Aliyu who was represented by Mrs Vera Onyilo, said, “We believe this support will go a long way in alleviating the adverse effects of the flood and assist our farmers to recover from climate adaptation strategies such as flood tolerant rice varieties, climate resilient infrastructures and other climate smart agric technologies to reduce the effect of future floods on our farmers.”
The National Coordinator lauded the state Governor Prof Charles Soludo for his commitment and support to the VCDP in the state even as she assured him of unwavering collaboration and support to improve the livelhood and I come of the farmers.
She urged the farmers and beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Mrs Chiamaka Nnakee while expressing Governor Soludo’s heart warming appreciation of the agricultural development partners for their gestures said the administration is passionate about agro -economic development of the state.
“What you have done and shown, shows that our cries got to you and we cannot take you for granted because of your support. Agriculture is the center of work plans and programme of the state government,” Amaka said.
The commissioner assured of Governor Soludo’s approval of the counterpart fund for the benefit of farmers.
Also, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Forster Ejiofor said with the inputs the farmers have been empowered to feed the state and the nationz
She said that it was a great way of creating wealth for the farmers in the state.
“You will use the inputs to feed the state and the nation. So, we must diligently do what we are doing.”
Ejiofor added that the state Governor recognizes the impact of VCDP but wants it’s programmes to fit into the vision and mission of the administration on agricultural and economic policies .
According to him, the governor wants everything under agriculture to be inine with with the agricultural and economic policies of the state.
He said the” state has shown keen interest in regenerated inputs. IFAD should respond to what the state is used to. The governor is very much interested in helping the over 5, 000 farmers in the state. The state government is going to follow up the IFAD grant with active support.”
The beneficiaries in their various remarks commended the management of IFAD for the gestures both in the past and present which they noted had variously sustained them to put food on their tables and emancipate them from poverty as well as boost their wellbeing.
The State Coordinator of the VCDP, Mr. Agwuncha Emmanuel reiterated the need for the farmers to ensure they make judicious use of the inputs for optimal productivity so they continue to be in business.
He also reminded them that their project plans would not be approved without valid insurance scheme aimed at protecting the farmers and their farmlands, crops, equipment and others from any hazards as well as enable them to make claims on insured items in case of any loss.
