By Rita Iliya
Niger Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing (VCDP+AF) had recorded significant milestones in rice and cassava value chains in the state.
Hajiya Hadizat Isah, Coordinator of the Niger State Programme Management Unit (SPMU), disclosed this during a Steering Committee meeting in Minna on Saturday.
Isah, while presentating the achievement report to the committee,, said the programme had continued to meet its targets in spite of operational challenges.
She said the programme recorded significant milestones in rice and cassava value chains.
She added that in spite of operational challenges, VCDP+AF had continued to deliver on its mandate of supporting smallholder farmers, improving market access and expanding agribusiness opportunities.
Isah also outlined progress in farmer capacity-building, provision of climate-smart inputs, rehabilitation of rural infrastructure and facilitation of public private partnerships.
She added that thousands of beneficiaries had been empowered through training, enterprise development and the adoption of improved technologies, leading to higher productivity and increased incomes.
She reaffirmed its commitment to boosting agricultural productivity and improving rural livelihoods and commended the support of Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, as well as IFAD and the Federal Government.
She described their contributions as critical to the programme’s success and stressed the need for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders to consolidate the gains.
In his remarks, Dr Matthew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of Niger Ministry for Agriculture and Chairman of the Steering Committee, lauded the achievements recorded.
He restated the commitment of the state government to strengthening policies and creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.
He urged members of the committee to continue providing strategic direction to ensure the programme meets its targets.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting brought together key stakeholders from relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to evaluate progress made under the programme and chart the way forward. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
