From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development through the Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD-VCDP) has distributed tricycles worth N16.5 million to 11 farmer’s associations in Nasarawa State.
The Nasarawa State Coordinator of VCDP, Dr Eunice Adgidzi, disclosed this on Sunday while handling over the 11 tricycles to the beneficiaries in Lafia.
According to her, the distribution was made possible through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) COVID-19 Rural Poor Stimulus Facility grant and was given to address the transportation problems often encountered by the farmers and increase their income, as well as their livelihoods.
The state coordinator of VCDP said each tricycle cost N1.5 million and IFAD provided 70 percent of the total cost while each group paid 30 percent to enable them benefit.
“IFAD provided N11.5 million which is the 70 percent of the total cost while beneficiaries paid N5 million, 30 percent of the cost.
“IFAD paid N1,050,000 for each tricycle while each benefiting group paid N450,000 to enable it to benefit.
“We distributed fertiliser, seedlings and other farming inputs to the farmers free, but for equipment, they have to pay a token as part of their commitment,” she said.
The coordinator said that the project is aimed at improving the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava on sustainable basis.
She appreciated the state Governor, Abdullahi Sule for his continued support to the project and assured that the state would get excellent result and improved output.
Responding on behalf of the farmers, Bala James-Ewuga of Akwa Rice Irrigation Farmers Limited, thanked the government for the support and promised to use the tricycles judiciously.
The Voice reports that the beneficiaries were drawn from Lafia, Doma, Karu, Nasarawa and Wamba Local Government Areas of the state.