IFAD, FG Empower 450+ Enugu Farmers with Modern Agro Equipment

News in brief:

-Over 458 rural farmers received tricycles, threshers, power tillers, rice mills, cassava processing machines, and other tools to enhance productivity and access to markets.

-The programme, which has supported over 9,000 farmers in Enugu since 2020, aims to improve food security, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s rice and cassava value chains.

Hundreds of smallholder farmers in Enugu State have received a major boost as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), through its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), partnered with the Federal Government to distribute agricultural equipment worth millions of naira.

The initiative targeted 458 farmers across five local government areas, Aninri, Enugu East, Nkanu East, Isi Uzo, and Udenu, where IFAD-VCDP has been supporting rice and cassava production, processing, and marketing.

Equipment to Ease Farming Stress

The items distributed included:

• 38 tricycles for transporting produce
• 15 rice destoners and 10 threshers to reduce post-harvest losses
• 3 rice milling machines and 3 solar dryers for value addition
• 6 power tillers and 20 seed planters for mechanised cultivation
• 50 knapsack sprayers and 20 water pumps for crop management
• Cassava peeling and pounding machines, parboilers, and specialised rice reapers
• 50 point-of-sale (POS) machines and 50 weighing scales to support agro-marketing

For many smallholder farmers who rely on crude tools such as hoes and cutlasses, these machines will not only reduce drudgery but also improve yields, market access, and income.

Enugu Government’s Commitment to Agriculture

Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, said agriculture remained central to his administration’s vision of food security.

“In Enugu State, we do not just produce but also add value to our agricultural products up to export level,” he said. “These interventions will make farming more attractive, more mechanised, and ensure that no one goes hungry.”

He commended IFAD for its partnership and urged farmers to make good use of the equipment while seeking technical support when needed.

IFAD’s Role in Transforming Farmers’ Livelihoods

The National Programme Coordinator of VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, represented by Gender and Youth Advisor Mr Musa Dalang, praised the Enugu State government for paying counterpart funds, which made the intervention possible.

According to her, the IFAD-VCDP has transformed rural farming communities across Nigeria, turning many smallholder farmers into thriving agro-entrepreneurs. She encouraged beneficiaries to be ambassadors of the programme in their communities.

Farmers’ Contributions and Long-Term Impact

State Programme Coordinator, Dr Edward Isiwu, revealed that farmers contributed 30% of the cost of the equipment, making them co-owners of the investment. He added that monitoring mechanisms were in place to ensure proper usage.

He noted that since 2020, over 9,000 farmers in Enugu have been supported with inputs, training, and equipment in cassava and rice value chains. These efforts, he said, have improved food security, created jobs, enhanced market linkages, and reduced post-harvest losses.

Farmers React with Excitement

For beneficiaries like Mr Emmanuel Odoh, a rice farmer, the intervention is a game-changer.

“The tricycle I received will make it easier for me to take my rice to the market. Before now, I had to hire transporters and spend so much. With this support, my income will definitely increase,” he said with excitement.