FG, IFAD’s value chain devt programme reducing poverty in Niger — Coordinator

The state programme coordinator of the Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)’s Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), Hajiya Hadizat Isah, has explained how VCDP is helping to reduce poverty in Niger State, particularly among women and youths.

Isah made this explanation while conducting the media around the programme’s key infrastructural interventions in both rice and cassava value chains across the state.

She said, “We have a processing unit here. When we looked at the volume of rice production, we realised the need to establish a processing centre for women groups. They submitted their request, and we provided it. Any rice harvested here is processed locally, and hence the market for their produce.”

Speaking on the core objectives of VCDP, the State Programme Coordinator emphasised that the programme aligns with key development goals.

“Looking at the objective of this programme, we intend to reduce poverty, increase food security, and accelerate economic growth. From all we could see, we have addressed these in this community. They have access to food, and not only that—we trained them on processing to get quality rice grains. With this, we are contributing to food security,” she said.

Isah also made comparisons between states with VCDP intervention and non-participating states.

“In states where this intervention is not on ground, their productivity is not at this level. They plant anyhow, their production level is different, and even the processing methods are not the same. The quality of IFAD farmers’ products is better.

“When they go to the market, VCDP farmers’ products sell faster than others. We advised our farmers to plant Faro 44, which are long grains. That’s why you see that VCDP farmers are different from other farmers,” Isah stated.

According to her, the success of the programme in local government areas like Edati Local Government Area has attracted interest from other LGAs.

“They are even using our farmers to train other states that are not in the programme. Like other donors coming up, we encourage them to learn from VCDP because we train our farmers in good agronomic practices,” she said.

On how the programme is touching the youth, Isah said, “As I’m telling you now, in Niger State, VCDP youths are being used to mentor other youths on how to improve their farm production.”

Meanwhile, on the challenges, Isah noted that illiteracy and insecurity still limit the impacts of the VCDP programme across Niger State.

“Illiteracy is a major challenge as some farmers find it difficult to be trained on some technical aspects, including the use of advanced technology. Also, insecurity poses another challenge, particularly in three local government areas that we have not been able to visit for some years now, because those areas are not safe,” she added.

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