The International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has distributed agricultural equipment worth several millions of naira to 458 smallholder farmers across Enugu State, marking a major boost for food security and rural development.
The beneficiaries, drawn from Aninri, Enugu East, Nkanu East, Isi Uzo, and Udenu Local Government Areas, are participants in IFAD-VCDP’s rice and cassava production, processing, and marketing projects. These areas were selected for their strong agricultural potential and readiness to embrace value-chain farming.
At the handover ceremony in Enugu, officials unveiled a wide array of modern tools aimed at reducing labour, cutting post-harvest losses, and expanding market access. Items distributed included 38 tricycles, three paddy rice steam parboilers, 15 rice destoners, 10 rice threshers, three rice milling machines, five rice reapers, 10 cassava pounding machines, seven cassava peeling machines, 50 energy-saving stoves, three solar dryers, 20 seed planters, 20 water pumps, 50 knapsack sprayers, 50 point-of-sale (POS) machines, 50 digital weighing scales, and six power tillers.
Representing Governor Peter Mbah, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr. Patrick Ubru, said the intervention underscores the state government’s commitment to mechanised farming and value addition. He noted that Enugu’s timely payment of counterpart funds to development partners made the exercise possible. “These interventions are designed to make agriculture attractive, mechanised, and profitable while ensuring no one goes hungry,” the governor stated, urging farmers to use the equipment responsibly for the benefit of their communities.
Speaking on behalf of the National Programme Coordinator, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, IFAD-VCDP Gender and Youth Advisor Mr. Musa Dalang praised Enugu’s collaboration and highlighted the programme’s nationwide success in transforming rural livelihoods through commercial agriculture and climate-smart practices. He encouraged the beneficiaries to become “ambassadors of best practices” in their communities.
Enugu State VCDP Coordinator Dr. Edward Isiwu explained that farmers contributed 30 percent of the total cost to ensure a sense of ownership and responsibility, adding that monitoring systems will prevent misuse or resale of the equipment. He revealed that more than 9,000 farmers in Enugu State have benefited from IFAD-VCDP interventions since 2020, receiving improved seeds, fertilizers, and processing tools that have boosted food security, reduced losses, and created jobs.
Grateful beneficiaries, including rice and cassava farmers, described the equipment as a game changer that will reduce transportation costs, improve processing hygiene, and increase profits. Agricultural experts at the event hailed the initiative as a model for strengthening Nigeria’s food systems, reducing import dependence, and creating employment opportunities for rural youth and women.
