EBONYI


166 benefiting farmers in Ebonyi have received palliatives worth millions of naira from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP)

The State Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP Mr. Sunday Ituma disclosed in Abakaliki during the distribution of agro-inputs and equipment to benefit farmers affected by the flood in 2022.

Ituma said that each beneficiary would receive two bags of urea fertilizer, four bags of fertilizeriser, and one bag of rice seeds.

"Each benefiting group will receive one water pump for dry season farming.

"It is pertinent to note that the items are grants, freely donated by IFAD-VCDP which is in collaboration with the Federal Government".

He advised the beneficiaries to use the items for dry season farming noting that a verification team from its national office would visit the state in January 2023.

"The team will ascertain whether the beneficiaries received the items and evidence of such usage on their farms.

"It will be a great disservice to the farmers if the team discovers anything on the contrary,"

The Acting National Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu commiserated with the government and people of Ebonyi over the effects of the flood.

Aliyu represented by Mr. Abraham Alhassan, an Administrative Officer in the program said it felt the devastating effects of the flood on farmers in its participating states.

"VCDP re-allocated funds and set aside N252 million to provide agro inputs and equipment to affected farmers, in executing dry season farming.

"IFAD approved an additional N467.8 million to the VCDP to further provide support to our farmers affected by the floods.

"This is in addition to the regular VCDP support given to farmers recently for the 2022 dry season farming.

She noted that a total of 1,495 farmers would be supported with the palliatives in the nine participating states of Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Ogun.

Prof. Humphrey Nwaobashi, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources thanked IFAD-VCDP for the gesture, noting that it had become a source of joy to Ebonyi farmers.

"We advise the beneficiaries not to sell the items but utilize them for intended purposes.

Mrs. Oluchi Igwe, a Beneficiary, thanked IFAD-VCDP for the intervention and pledged to judiciously utilize the items.