IFAD Grant Boost Rice, Cassava Value Chains in Niger

News in brief:

-IFAD’s ASAP grant has strengthened rice and cassava value chains in Niger State, benefiting 18,710 farmers with improved seeds and climate-resilient technologies.

-The intervention includes solar irrigation pumps, waste-to-wealth equipment and digital extension services to enhance productivity and sustainability.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme has recorded significant gains in rice and cassava production in Niger State following the rollout of its Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP) grant.

A field tour by programme officials to intervention sites in Katcha and Bida showcased expanded farm sizes, bumper harvests and thriving waste-to-wealth enterprises among beneficiaries.

The tour included visits to Bangi Farmers Cooperative and Emiworo community in Katcha, as well as Dabarako Cassava Processing Centre in Bida, to assess the impact of improved rice seeds and climate-smart technologies provided under the ASAP grant.

Over 18,000 Farmers Benefit in Niger State

The ASAP initiative, integrated into Nigeria’s Value Chain Development Programme framework, channels climate finance directly to smallholder farmers to enhance resilience in food systems.

In Niger State, the programme covers six LGAs: Bida, Borgu, Edati, Katcha, Mokwa and Wushishi, supporting producers, processors, marketers, women cooperatives and youth groups engaged in rice and cassava value chains.

Hajiya Hadizat Isah, State Programme Coordinator, said the grant commenced in March 2025 in Niger and Kogi, two of the nine states participating nationwide.

According to her, 18,710 beneficiaries are from Niger out of 24,000 farmers supported across the two states, with 1,410 farmers in Katcha alone cultivating approximately 500 hectares under the scheme.

Improved Seeds and Waste-to-Wealth Innovations

Isah explained that beneficiaries received improved and climate-resilient rice seeds as well as high-yield cassava stems, including Vitamin A varieties. Processors were equipped with machinery to convert rice husks and cassava peels into economically viable products.

At Emiworo community, members of the Emiworo Women Cooperative demonstrated briquettes produced from rice husks, aimed at reducing waste, limiting deforestation and generating alternative income streams.

Similarly, cassava processors at Dabarako Processing Centre showcased equipment that converts cassava peels into animal feed, supporting livestock production while reducing environmental pollution.

Farmers Record Bumper Harvests

Beneficiaries reported tangible improvements in livelihoods. Haliman Ibrahim from Emiworo community said proceeds from briquette sales now supplement household income.

Ahmed Mohammed, a rice farmer in Katcha, said improved seeds had resulted in bumper harvests and improved market supply, enabling farmers to meet household needs and support their children’s education.

Nathaniel Gana, an extension agent in Katcha LGA, noted that farmers were trained in Good Agronomic Practices and climate-smart agriculture, with strict monitoring to ensure proper distribution and utilisation of equipment.

Infrastructure and Digital Support

Beyond seed distribution, the intervention includes construction of bunds for water retention, erosion control through planting grasses and shrubs, drilling of tube wells and deployment of 1,200 solar-powered irrigation pumps to facilitate year-round farming.

Additional equipment distributed comprises 36 cassava peel conversion machines, 50 rice husk briquette machines and 110 power tillers for bund construction. Farmers also received laptops and mobile phones to support climate information dissemination and digital extension services.

The programme underscores the growing role of climate finance in strengthening agricultural value chains and building resilience among smallholder farmers in Niger State.