The International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) has distributed agro-inputs to rural farmers in its intervention local government areas in Enugu State to boost wet-season farming activities.
The distribution was inaugurated on Friday in Ezinesi Oduma, Aninri Local Government Area, as part of efforts to increase agricultural productivity and improve farmers’ yields across participating communities.
Items distributed included 2,480 bags of 50kg NPK fertilizer, 640 bags of 50kg urea fertilizer, 320 bags of 50kg certified rice seeds, herbicides and 15,000 bundles of cassava stems.
Inaugurating the exercise, the State Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP in Enugu State, Dr Edward Isiwu, said the intervention formed part of the programme’s annual support to farmers through a matching grant arrangement.
According to him, beneficiaries contribute 50 per cent of the cost of the inputs, while IFAD-VCDP provides the remaining 50 per cent to support agricultural production.
“The Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, is passionate about agriculture and has consistently supported farmers across the state.
“Every year, IFAD-VCDP, with the support of the state government, provides agro-inputs to farmers on a matching grant basis.
“These farmers across the five LGAs made their beneficiary contributions based on the number of hectares allocated to them.
“Each of the farmer organizations paid for 10 hectares, some paid for 15 hectares depending on their numerical strength.
“It is my responsibility as State Coordinator to ensure that the farmers receive the inputs they have paid for,” he said.
Isiwu said that the timely arrival of the inputs would enable farmers to maximize the current farming season and improve productivity across the programme’s intervention areas.
“In the past, these inputs were released when farmers could no longer make effective use of them and they may be tempted into selling off the inputs.
“Today, the inputs have arrived at the right time when the rains have started and farmers are already on their farms.
“We have established five redemption centres across the five local government areas where IFAD-VCDP currently operates, namely Aninri, Nkanu East, Isi-Uzo, Enugu East and Udenu and this redemption exercise will run for one month,” he said.
Isiwu commended Gov. Peter Mbah for supporting agricultural development and pledged to ensure that farmers derived maximum benefits from the programme.
Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Graicia Global Ltd., Dr Christopher Ugwu, said the quality of the inputs supplied would help farmers achieve improved yields and productivity.
Ugwu described Aninri as a major farming hub in Enugu State and attributed the enthusiasm among beneficiaries to the area’s strong agricultural potential.
“In Aninri, farmers are very keen to their farming activities. We supplied quality inputs, including Faro 44/45 rice varieties, to ensure improved yields.
“This programme, which was previously organized in Enugu metropolis, has now been taken directly to local government areas through the initiative of Dr Edward Isiwu, making it easier for farmers to access the inputs,” he said.
Ugwu added that the company would continue to monitor beneficiaries to ensure proper utilization of the inputs and evaluate progress in their farming activities.
In her remarks, a representative of Umuikuku Cooperative Society, Mrs Florence Okoli, thanked IFAD-VCDP and the Enugu State Government for supporting farmers with critical agricultural inputs.
She said the fertilizers, herbicides and rice seeds received would significantly improve farming activities and help beneficiaries generate income to support their families.
Another beneficiary, Mr Ferdinand Ani, described the intervention as one of the best in recent years due to the timely delivery of the inputs.
“We are happy because the inputs arrived promptly. The fertilizers and other materials will help improve our farm yields and reduce poverty in our communities,” Ani said.(NAN)
