IFAD commences input distribution to Taraba rice farmers
On Thursday, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) began the distribution of inputs to 129 rice farmers across seven LGAs of Taraba.
Governor Agbu Kefas, who launched the distribution at a ceremony in Jalingo, commended IFAD for boosting rice production, processing and marketing in the state over the years.
Mr Kefas said his administration prioritised agriculture, given its efforts towards ensuring food security.
He explained that Taraba was up-to-date with the payment of counterpart funding for VCDP and would continue to do so for the benefit of the people.
He advised benefiting farmers to use the inputs for the purpose intended, which he said was to boost rice production in the state.
“Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to benefitting farmers to use the inputs for the purpose intended. The government will not take it lightly with any farmer caught diverting or reselling the inputs,” he said.
Earlier, Irimiya Musa, the state programme coordinator of IFAD, explained that the VCDP intervention across nine states aimed to improve the living conditions of indigent persons in rural areas.
Mr Musa listed 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.
Mr Musa also noted that the 129 beneficiaries in Taraba were drawn from Ardo-kola, Bali, Donga, Gassol, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Takum and Wukari LGAs, the programme implementing areas.
“The benefitting farmers will be supported with inputs for one or two hectares, in consonance with their submitted and approved business plans.
“However, the benefitting farmers will pay 50 per cent of the total cost of the inputs, while the programme pays the balance of 50 per cent, under an arrangement known as the matching grant model,” he said.
Mr Musa lauded the Taraba government over its unwavering support to agriculture, particularly to the VCDP, where the enabling environment for the programme to thrive in the state had been created.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Dutse residents seek govt support after rainstorm damaged homes
On Monday, some residents described the rainstorms as among the most destructive they had experienced recently.
States
Tinubu support group pays school fees for 570 vulnerable students in Benue
He said the implementation of the education intervention was being carried out in batches, with the first phase covering Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi and Kaduna states.
Diaspora
Russian forces kill Nigerian graduate Nnani Adaobi Merian in Ukraine
Nnani Adaobi Merian, a graduate of Kharkiv National Medical University, who was injured in a Russian strike, has died.
Education
Okigwe Eight: Kidnapped Scripture Union delegates freed after 22 days
Eight members of the Scripture Union abducted along the interstate boundary between Imo and Anambra on June 14 while returning from a national conference are freed.
Abuja
Court fines ADC chieftain N100 million in lawsuit against Federal High Court chief judge
The judge struck out Mr Ukandu’s case, which was filed against the National Judicial Council, Messrs Tsoho and Lifu, respectively, for lack of diligence.
Politics
Gov Aiyedatiwa hails Olowo of Owo on 60th birthday
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa says the Olowo of Owo, Ajibade Ogunoye II, has shown remarkable foresight and purposeful leadership in the Owo Kingdom on his 60th birthday.
