IFAD-VCDP to sustain exchange of ideas among benefitting farmers in Ebonyi


The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) says it is committed towards enhancing exchange of ideas among its beneficiaries in Ebonyi.

Mr Sunday Ituma, the IFAD-VCDP State Programme Coordinator, made the declaration during its learning route programme for benefitting cassava/ rice seed enterprenuers in the state.

Ituma said that such exchange of ideas was part of the programme's implementation processes which is termed learning routes.

"We take young farmers to successful farmers who have demonstrated best practices in a particular area of our intervention.

"The successful farmers explain how they attained their present status and how they overcame inherent challenges.

"They would explain how they overcame challenges of access to land, finance, extension services, equipment, inputs among others.

He noted that the tutored farmers would be required to replicate what they learnt in order to attain the status of the successful farmers.

"We have trained over 30 youths at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Oyo on rice seed production.

"The trainees were empowered on return to become viable enterprenuers as they have even jointly registered a limited liability company.

"They produce all the seeds we give to farmers and have become millionaires in their own rights,".

Mr John Nweze, the IFAD -VCDP Knowledge Management Officer in Ebonyi said that the learning route programme has greatly motivated young farmers to succeed in various agricultural ventures.

"When they learn the secrets of those who have succeeded, they would realise that such successes were not magical and would be focused on achieving success.

"The rice seed enterprenuers for instance sell the produce in other states and presently have the capacity of solving their immediate needs,".

Mrs Elizabeth Edu, a Rice Seed enterprenuer thanked IFAD-VCDP for the training opportunity offered her and pledged to mentor upcoming enterprenuers to succeed.