Taraba govt reads riot act to farmers selling IFAD inputs

Taraba State Government, on Saturday, said it would deal decisively with farmers found selling the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)’s Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), inputs meant to enhance food production in the state.

Prof. Nicholas Namessan, the Taraba Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed the decision while flagging off the distribution of IFAD’s Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), inputs for 2025 wet season cassava farmers in Taraba.

Represented by Mrs Salah Ali, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Namessan urged the farmers to make judicious use of the inputs to enhance productivity.

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“I urge you all to ensure that you make judicious use of the inputs given to you so as to enhance productivity and improve your standard of living and ehnance food security for the country,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Irimiya Musa, the VCDP State Programme Coordinator (SPC), said the programme was strategically designed to enhance Agricultural productivity, promote value addition, and improve the livelihoods of small-holder farmers.

Represented by Mr Bedu Wiza, Musa said the inputs distributed, including improved seeds, fertilisers, and other critical agro-inputs, were crucial for boosting cassava production for enhanced food security.

While encouraging beneficiaries to use the inputs as expected and not to sell, the SPC assured them that the right application of the items would enable them to achieve greater heights in agricultural development and rural prosperity.

He commended Gov. Agbu Kefas for always ensuring prompt payment of counterpart funding for the programme for the benefit of the rural farmers.

Musa also lauded the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Namessan, and all other stakeholders for their unalloyed support to the programme.

He noted that VCDP, which was intervening due to the partnership between IFAD, the Federal Government, and the Taraba Government, was the best thing that has happened to the rural communities in recent years.

The Nigerian Tribune reports that VCDP is intervening to improve rice and cassava production, processing, and marketing in Gassol, Karim-Lamido, Wukari, Ardo-Kola, Takum, Donga, Jalingo, and Bali local government councils of Taraba.