The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, have distributed farming inputs and tricycles to 352 farmers in Nasarawa State as part of efforts to ensure a seamless 2025 wet season farming in the state.
The State Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme, Eunice Adgidzi, disclosed the 2025 Wet Season Distribution of Inputs to VCDP farmers in Nasarawa State, on Wednesday in Lafia, the state capital.
She explained that the gesture was aimed at ensuring that farmers across the five benefiting Local Government Areas in the state can boost their capacities and cultivate enough food for the residents.
According to her, the 352 benefiting farmers were drawn from across the five LGAs of Lafia, Nasarawa, Doma, Karu, and Wamba.
Adgidzi, while describing the event as “another milestone” in efforts to empower farmers and strengthen food systems in the state, said the programme, which targets smallholder farmers in rice and cassava value chains, aims to transform agriculture into a driver of food security, wealth creation, and sustainable development.
She listed the inputs being distributed to include: 9,600 kilogrammes of improved rice seed, 1,408 bags of NPK fertiliser, 384 bags of Urea fertiliser, 352 litres of non-selective herbicide, 352 litres of selective herbicide, and 8,000 bundles of cassava stem cuttings.
Also distributed were nine tricycles to selected farmers to ease the transportation of produce to markets, thereby reducing post-harvest losses.
Adgidzi further pointed out that the collaboration between the Federal Government, IFAD, and the state government reflects a commitment to provide farmers with the tools they need to succeed.
She expressed optimism that the intervention would help reduce poverty and improve resilience among rural households.
“To our farmers, these inputs and equipment are investments in your productivity. We encourage you to put them to the best use, for your benefit and for the prosperity of your families and communities,” she added.
Earlier, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Tanko Tunga, while flagging off the distribution exercise, noted that the initiative was aimed at boosting food production, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
“This intervention will not only boost agricultural productivity, but also enhance rural incomes, create opportunities for our youths and women, and move us closer to food self-sufficiency,” he said.
The Commissioner called on the beneficiaries to utilise the inputs to achieve the best results, while commending the FG and IFAD for initiating the programme.
Tunga further assured the state government’s commitment to continue to give the needed support to the FG and IFAD to ensure the success of the Value Chain Development Programme in the state.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of the others, Lazarus Okwugya from Assakio community, and Fatima Shuaibu from Azuba community, appreciated the FG and IFAD for the various interventions, which they said had greatly impacted their yields and livelihoods.
