November 14, (THEWILL) – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has contributed N13.527 billion to the Benue State economy through OLAM private partnership arrangement.
The State Programme Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Igbaukum, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Joseph Alakali, on Monday, in Makurdi.
Igbaukum pointed out that the money was generated through the purchase of 99,452 Metric Tonnes of rice paddy from IFAD-VCDP farmers by OLAM.
He also disclosed that through IFAD-VCDP, cassava farmers sold 87,237 metric tonnes thereby raking in N3.925 billion to the Nigerian Food Security and N14.662 billion to the state economy.
He further stated that IFAD-VCDP had assisted farmers to increase the average yield of rice from 1.2 metric tonnes per hectare to 4.5 metric tonnes per hectare, stressing that cassava yield had increased from 8 to 10 metric tonnes per hectare to 25 to 30 metric tonnes per hectare.
Responding, Prof. Alakali expressed joy over the achievements of IFAD-VCDP in the State, stressing that the State was very proud of IFAD-VCDP’s achievements.
The SSG challenged the leadership of IFAD to sustain the feat, assuring that the State Government would continue to support international organisations by paying counterpart funding promptly.
According to Professor Alkali, Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration has already put machinery in place to ensure food security in the State by the prompt provision of fertilizer and other incentives to farmers as well as the security of lives and property.
