The Federal Government says it’s committed to transforming old farming practices to mechanised and technology driven systems for both subsistent and commercial farmers in an effort to ensure food security in Nigeria.
The National Programme Coordinator of International Funds for Agriculture Development, IFAD, Fatima Aliyu, stated this at the inauguration of FGN/IFAD-Ebonyi State Value Chain Development Programme and Flag-off-of 2025 Dry season farming inputs and equipment distribution exercise.
The Federal Government’s IFAD, Value Chain Development Programme is targeting at transforming agricultural practices in eight of the thirteen council areas of Ebonyi State South East Nigeria to a mechanical and technology driven farming practice – a state predominantly known for large cultivation of rice, cassava and yam, among other crops.
At the flag-off of the 2025 distribution of dry season farming inputs and equipment to beneficiaries, IFAD National Programme Coordinator, Fatima Aliyu, and other officials observed that over thirty three thousand farmers in Ebonyi State, have already benefitted from the Value Chain Development Programme.
They noted that farming has gone beyond subsistence practice but commercial, hence the need for mechanised practice, reassuring the farmers of IFAD and other institutional support.
Food security experts believe the flag-off of this year’s dry season farming exercise, is a catalyst to economic growth, lifting families out of poverty and increasing efficiency for food production.
Some beneficiaries told AIT that mechanised farm equipment will help eliminate manual cultivation in the state, encourage dry season farming, while the inputs will boost yield and economic benefits.
IFAD and State government officials at the event formally inaugurated the Value Chain Development programme and the flag-off of the dry season farming equipment and inputs distribution exercise, including high yield rice seedlings, fertilisers, cassava processing machines, dryers, slashers, among others.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
