IFAD Earmarks N1.5bn To Boost Rice, Cassava Production

The  International  Fund
for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has says that it had set aside N1.5 billion to boost rice and cassava production by small farm holders in Nigeria in 2015.     The IFAD Country Portfolio Manager, Mrs Atsoko Toda, disclosed this in Lokoja at the opening of a two-day workshop on small farm holders’ productivity enhancement component.
He explained that part of the money will be used to train small farm holders in the areas of sustainable agricultural practices and production techniques.
According to her, access to fertilisers and agro chemicals as well as improved cuttings and certified rice seeds will also be provided for the category of farmers under focus.
She added that farmers will be trained on how to add value to rice and cassava production so as to enhance their income, create wealth and jobs for the youths.
According to her, the programme tagged IFAD-Value Chain Development will go a long way to achieve food sufficiency for the country.
Toda explained that IFAD decided to focus on rice and cassava because of their capacity to quickly increase the total volume of food available to the people.
She added that processors will also be encouraged to produce polished and stone-free rice so as to discourage Nigerians from going for imported rice.
She explained that the workshop was organised to deliberate upon and arrive at a strategic framework for the implementation of the component two of the IFAD-VCDP.
The coordinator said that Anambra, Niger, Ogun, Taraba, Benue and Ebonyi were the six states selected for the implementation of the Programme.