FG, IFAD equip 1,918 Nasarawa farmers with inputs, tricycles

In Nasarawa State, Nigeria, 1,918 farmers are set to enhance their rice and cassava yields thanks to a joint initiative by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program, operating under the Value Chain Development Programme with additional financing, distributed essential farm inputs and 22 tricycles across Lafia, Doma, Wamba, Karu, and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.

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We therefore urge every beneficiary to make judicious use of these assets strictly for the purpose for which they are provided, so that the objectives of the programme can be fully realised.

The distribution ceremony, held in Lafia, saw the provision of 9,750 kilograms of certified rice seeds and 7,000 bundles of improved cassava stems. Farmers also received 670 liters of herbicides, 1,340 bags of NPK fertilizer, and 390 bags of urea fertilizer. These resources are intended to cover 195 hectares of rice and 140 hectares of cassava cultivation, benefiting 31 rice farmer organizations and 23 cassava farmer organizations.

Beyond direct agricultural inputs, the initiative provided 22 tricycles to farmer organizations. These vehicles are crucial for easing the transportation, aggregation, and marketing of produce, thereby addressing key logistical challenges in the rice and cassava value chains. The program's overarching goals include ensuring farmers have timely access to quality inputs, reducing their production costs, minimizing post-harvest losses, and ultimately improving household incomes.

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Also, today, we are presenting the sum of N1.2 million to people with disabilities in Nasarawa State. This is evidence that the governor is farmer-friendly. I wish to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, for his unwavering support and commitment towards agricultural development.

During the event, the State Programme Coordinator, Dr. Eunice Adigizi, urged beneficiaries to utilize the provided assets judiciously. She also announced a N1.2 million disbursement to people with disabilities in Nasarawa State, highlighting the governor's commitment to agricultural development. The National Programme Coordinator, Fatima Aliyu, represented by Musa Dalang, commended the state government's consistent counterpart funding and appealed for the program's sustainability beyond its expected conclusion in December 2026, suggesting its conversion into a state agency.

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To our farmers, you remain the backbone of our economy. Your resilience, commitment and hard work continue to inspire us. We encourage you to adopt the improved technologies introduced by the programme, utilise the inputs responsibly, and continue working together through your farmer organisations to maximise the benefits of these interventions.