The FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP-AF) has distributed tricycles worth millions of naira to rural farmers in Kogi to enhance their livelihoods and ensure food sufficiency in the state.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, at the flag-off on Wednesday in Lokoja, said the gesture was part of government’s efforts toward empowering its citizens, especially rural farmers.
Ojomah expressed confidence in the Gov. Ahmed Ododo-led administration to continue to assist the rural farmers through the VCDP activities for maximum agricultural production in the state.
Ojomah, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abdulsalam Segir, said that government would not rest on its oars to provide farmers with inputs to boost their production.
According to him, the farmers will consistently be provided with farm equipment, fertilisers, chemicals and other machines that will assist them in their farming activities.
The commissioner, who reaffirmed government’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of the people of the state, advised the beneficiaries to be meticulous in handling the tricycles to serve them better.
He commended the achievements of Kogi VCDP, under the leadership of Dr Stella Adejoh, assuring that government would continue to give necessary support to the programme.
Earlier, Adejoh, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD-VCDP, said that the initiative was to boost the general wellbeing of farmers as well as ensuring beneficiaries’ full commitment along the production, processing and marketing value chain.
Adejoh expressed optimism that Kogi government would continue to take proactive measures to support and create enabling environment for the programme to thrive in the state.
The state programme coordinator urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the tricycles to improve their well-being, stating that the gesture was targeted toward their good and that of their families.
“No one should think of selling his/her tricycle because the programme has put in place monitoring mechanism to forestall such,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman, Gaskiya Cluster, Mr Bala Musa, appreciated IFAD/ VCDP, Kogi government as well as Federal Government for always supporting farmers in the state.
Musa promised that the beneficiaries would use the tricycles for intended purposes, adding that they would not take the opportunity for granted.
“We assure you that all our efforts will be channelled into the proper maintenance of the machines for our own benefits,” he said. (NAN)
