The Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP-AF), supported by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (FGN/IFAD), has commenced the distribution of farm inputs to 330 farmers across Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.
The initiative was officially launched on Saturday in Lokoja by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Timothy Ojomah, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Administration, Hajia Mariat Ibrahim.
Ojomah commended the VCDP for its continued support to farmers and its vital role in advancing agriculture and driving economic growth in the state. He also praised Governor Ahmed Ododo for his unwavering commitment to strengthening food security through various agricultural programmes.
The commissioner reiterated the state government’s dedication to fostering an enabling environment for sustainable agricultural development.
In her remarks, the State Coordinator of FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Stella Adejoh, said the programme is designed to boost productivity and ensure food security, specifically in rice and cassava production.
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She said the programme covers five local government areas: Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Olamaboro, Kabba-Bunu, and Ibaji.
According to Adejoh, 330 farmers are beneficiaries in this current phase of the 2025 wet season farming.
“This brings the cumulative number of supported farmers to approximately 5,600 across the five participating LGAs,” she said.
She added that the farm input distribution is inclusive, targeting women, youths, and vulnerable groups.
Adejoh explained that farmers contribute 50 percent of input costs, while VCDP covers the remaining 50 percent. She thanked Governor Ododo for his proactive payment of counterpart funding and support for the VCDP programme.
She advised farmers to utilise the inputs on their farms and warned against selling them, assuring that monitoring will be conducted.
Mr. George Ogirima, Managing Director of Kogi Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), applauded the governor’s agricultural policy focus.
He praised the VCDP for visible project execution across the five benefiting LGAs.
Ogirima also commended Dr. Adejoh and her team for their commitment to advancing agriculture in Kogi.
Beneficiaries, including Mr. Salihu Abdullahi from Lokoja and Mrs. Esther Joseph from Olamaboro, expressed appreciation for the support.
The farmers pledged to use the inputs effectively to ensure a bountiful harvest this wet season.
“We are grateful to VCDP and the government. This support will reduce our hardship and boost our harvest,” Joseph said.
Inputs distributed included improved rice seeds, Urea and NPK fertilisers, selective and non-selective herbicides, and insecticides.
