The Federal Government in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Wednesday distributed 20 tricycles to smallholder farmers in Nasarawa State under its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).
Dr Eunice Adigdizi, State Programme Coordinator FG/IFAD-VCDP in Nasarawa State, distributed the tricycles to 20 farmer groups drawn from five local government areas of the state where the VCDP was being implemented in the state.
The Local Government Areas include Lafia, Doma, Wamba, Karu and Nasarawa.
Adigdizi said that the tricycles were provided to address the challenge experienced of rice and cassava farmers in transporting their produce from the farms to the markets.
“Our mandate under the VCDP is to improve the livelihood of rural farmers.
“We see agriculture as business, that is why we always do everything within our powers to assist our farmers so that they can also contribute meaningfully to the growth of our state and Nigeria at large, she said.
The programme coordinator, therefore, charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the tricycles, saying,” we want to hear your success stories from the utilisation of these tricycles.”
In his remarks, Mr Isah Eya, Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry Of Agriculture and Water Resources, commended FG/IFAD -VCDP for the gesture.
Represented by Mr Sunday Akhun, Director Irrigation Services in the ministry, the permanent secretary assured of the state government’s continuos support to the programme.
He also challenged the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the tricycles to better the livelihood of their families.
Mrs Rahab Ayuba, representing Peace Women rice farmer group from Wamba LGA, appreciated FG/IFAD -VCDP for empowering them with the tricycles and promised to put them into good use. (NAN).
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