By Praise Chinecherem
More than 500 farmers in Anambra State have received agricultural equipment under the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP), in an intervention expected to improve farm productivity, ease transportation challenges and reduce post-harvest losses.
The distribution, coordinated by the Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, featured 49 tricycles, 84 power tillers, 80 solar-powered water pumps, 200 knapsack sprayers and fertiliser applicators, alongside 29 sets of cassava-processing equipment and 10 sets of rice-processing equipment.
Cooking demonstration equipment was also provided for 50 women as part of efforts to promote better food preparation and nutrition.
The intervention is designed to strengthen agricultural value chains, improve rural incomes and expand opportunities for women, youths and persons with disabilities.
Lawmaker Commends Soludo, Urges Beneficiaries to Use Equipment Properly
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Awka, Mr Anthony Muobike, representing Aguata Constituency II in the Anambra State House of Assembly, urged beneficiaries to use the equipment responsibly and ensure that it served its intended purpose.
Muobike commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for supporting the programme, describing sustained agricultural investment as important to the development of the state’s agricultural sector.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Chinwe Achugbu, represented by Mrs Ify Onyenwe, equally praised the programme for its contributions to improving farmers’ livelihoods.
She acknowledged the support of the state government and the programme’s role in creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.
IFAD Programme Targets Rural Poverty, Economic Inclusion
The State Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Deborah Onyefulu, said the distribution was part of a broader strategy to increase rural incomes, create jobs, reduce poverty and promote inclusive participation in agriculture.
She explained that women, youths and persons with disabilities were among the groups targeted by the intervention.
“The equipment support is part of the programme’s initiative to support women, youths and persons with disabilities.
“It is geared towards promoting inclusiveness in agricultural value chains and increasing the income of poor rural farmers on a sustainable basis,” Onyefulu said.
She cautioned beneficiaries against selling the equipment, adding that a monitoring team had been established to ensure compliance with the programme’s objectives.
Farmers to Contribute 30% of Equipment Cost
The Acting State Agricultural Production Officer for Value Chain, Mr Matthew Okafor, said beneficiaries were identified through liaison officers across the nine local government areas participating in the programme.
Under the cost-sharing arrangement, farmers are expected to contribute 30 per cent of the cost of the equipment, while the government provides the remaining 70 per cent.
Okafor urged beneficiaries to prioritise their actual farming needs when selecting equipment, warning against collecting items they would not use.
“There is no need collecting equipment you do not need. Instead, we give them to those in need of them,” he said.
Tricycles to Improve Market Access, Reduce Farm Losses
The Acting Business and Market Development Officer of VCDP in Anambra, Mrs Mary Obiekwe, disclosed that 50 selected farmers would each receive a tricycle to facilitate the movement of farm produce to markets.
She said inadequate transportation and poor access to remote farming communities had exposed farmers to avoidable post-harvest losses.
“Before now, these farmers experienced harvest losses due to a lack of mobility and access to remote hinterlands.
“With the distribution of these tricycles, there will be seamless transportation and increased productivity,” she said.
Obiekwe urged beneficiaries to maintain the tricycles properly and save towards replacing them when they eventually depreciated.
Beneficiary: Training Has Changed Our Outlook on Farming
Mrs Onyebuchi Okoli, a beneficiary and member of the Destiny Farmers Cooperative in Isuaniocha, Awka North Local Government Area, said the tricycle would make it easier to transport produce from her vegetable, cassava and fish farming activities.
She commended the programme for providing both equipment and capacity-building support, saying the training had helped farmers recognise agriculture’s potential to improve their livelihoods.
“They taught us how farming can improve our livelihoods. If a farmer remains poor, it is because the farmer has decided to remain so,” Okoli said.
The intervention is expected to improve farm operations, strengthen rural market access and create additional opportunities for agricultural businesses across participating communities in Anambra State.
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