The federal government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development via the Value Chain Development Programme have distributed farm inputs and equipment to 282 farmers in Nasarawa to boost production.

Fatima Aliyu, the national programme coordinator, disclosed this at the flag-off of the 2024 farm inputs distribution and equipment for VCDP farmers on Friday in Lafia.

Mr Aliyu said that the initiative had demonstrated the commitment to supporting agricultural growth in Nasarawa state for food security and sustainability.

The national programme coordinator said the farm inputs and equipment included fertilisers, herbicides, rice seeds, and home garden seeds.

She listed others, including power tillers, solar-powered knapsack sprayers, irrigation pumps, rice threshers, solar-powered irrigation pumps, rice reapers, mechanical rice transplanters, and tricycles with trailers.

Mr Aliyu commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for supporting agricultural development and food security.

Eunice Adgidzi, the FG/IFAD -VCDP coordinator, said that since its inception in Nasarawa State, VCDP has been working assiduously to fulfil the programme’s mandate.

She said the beneficiaries comprised VCDP farmers’ organisations drawn from five local government areas- Lafia, Doma, Karu, Wamba and Nasarawa.

Mr Adgidzi commended the governor for the prompt release and payment of the 2023/2024 counterpart funds and sundry support for agricultural development.

The Nasarawa governor appreciated FG/IFAD VCDP for selecting Nasarawa state as one of the programme’s beneficiaries.

Mr Sule said that his administration was committed to providing an enabling environment and supporting initiatives such as VCDP to enhance food security.

The programme targets smallholders, processors, and traders, with over 17,480 beneficiaries in Nasarawa, including 15,000 smallholder farmers, 1,680 processors, and 800 traders.

(NAN)