International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, commences free distribution of 5,000 bags of fertilizers to Benue farmers

International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, commences free distribution of 5,000 bags of fertilizers to Benue farmers


MAKURDI...........The International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, has commenced the free distribution of over 5,000 bags of fertilizer to cassava farmers in Benue state as part of deliberate effort by the organization to boost food production in the country.

Flagging off the presentations at Ogbadibo, Okpokwu and Guma local government areas of the state, Benue IFAD-VCDP Project Coordinator, Emmanuel Igbaukum said each of the benefitting farmers would also receive two liters of herbicides from the organization at no cost.

He said aside the contributions from his organization, each of the 2,500 farmers would receive same quantity of counterpart support from the state government.

Igbaukum said, "in line with the counter funding nature of the programme, whatever quantity of input and support we give each farmer, the state will also avail same quantity to the benefiting farmers through their cluster groups.

"With the arrangement, each farmer is expected to cultivate a hectare of farmland with four bags of fertilizer and four liters of herbicides to boost their annual yield in order to improve their yields, earnings and livelihood."

In his speech, the Benue state Commission for Agriculture, Mr. James Anbwa cautioned the benefitting farmers against diverting the inputs warning that the state government would not hesitate to take punitive measures against defaulters.

Anbwa said, "the state government is investing much in agricultural development, we are urging the people to make good use of the oppotunity to improve themselves."


"Considering the prevailing economic situation and the diversification policy of the government we are therefore paying greater attention to agricultural development which is the bedrock of our economic resuscitation policy."
BY PETER DURU

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