Farmers Laud IFAD- VCDP’s Intervention Schemes In Anambra

Farmers in Anambra State
have commended the intervention of International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), expressing confidence of an improved yield this farming season.
The farmers, who are members of various cooperative societies benefitting from the intervention, expressed their joy in an interview with newsmen in Awka.
They spoke during the visit by VCDP officials to farmlands to ascertain the quality of yield in relation to the support given to them at the commencement of the farming season.
A cassava farmer at Umuochu village, Ndikelionwu in Orumba North Local Government Area, Mr. Nneneka Ijomah said he benefitted from the distribution of improved cassava stem, fertilisers and herbicides.
Ijomah, the leader of Oganiru Multipurpose Cooperative Society, said he benefitted from a training programme organised by the VCDP on modern techniques for cultivating cassava at Ibadan in Oyo State.
“I am impressed with the growth of the cassava so far because of the training I received from VCDP on the type of modern cassava species, planting and weeding techniques,’’ he said.
Ijomah, who expressed confidence of a bumper harvest in the next ten months, however appealed for early release of tractors and other farm inputs during next distribution.
Also, a rice farmer at Village One, Igbariam Farm Settlement, Mr. Anthony Omenyi expressed happiness, noting that the programme had impacted positively on their rice farm.
“We were able to key into the best agricultural practices using modernised system for improved results.
“From the good condition of the rice, we are expecting about four tons of rice per bag as against two tons when we harvest on November 28, 2015’’ Omenyi, the leader of Nwannedinamba Farmers’ Group, said.
While commending VCDP for its support, Omenyi expressed readiness to further expand rice cultivation in the area and appealed for early release of farm inputs, especially insecticide and tractors.
He said they planned to further expand their farmland from four to 10 hectres following the positive result of VCDP intervention.
Another farmers’ group, Okenna Farmers’ Cooperative Society, a 10-member group led by Mr Chris Anikpe, expressed similar contentment with the planting season following the intervention of VCDP.