IFAD-VCDP to verify 2017 farmers’ business plans in Niger


The International Fund for Agricultural Development assisted Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) will begin verification of farmers’ business plans for 2017 in Niger on Wednesday.

Dr Mathew Ahmed, the State Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Minna.

“The verification will begin on Wednesday, April 19 to May 3 across the five participating Local Government Areas in Niger,’’ he said.

Ahmed said that the exercise was to ascertain the readiness of the 640 participating VCDP farmers for the 2017 farming season.

He said that the business plan would ensure effective management of the farm from land preparation to marketing of farm produce.

“The size of the farm and soil texture will determine the implement and input to use,’’ he said.

The coordinator explained that government and farmer organisations have made huge investment towards the 2017 wet season for rice and cassava production.

He added that consultants have been engaged to verify the business plans.

NAN reports that the Federal Government/IFAD assisted VCDP is a donor agency project that targets poor rural household farmers.

The households engage in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in Bida, Katcha, Kontagora, Shiroro Local Government Areas of the state.

The programme, which started in February 2015, will wind up in June 2020.


It is being implemented in the six states of Niger, Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue, Ogun and Taraba.

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