Anambra First Lady, Mrs. Nonye Soludo through FG/IFAD/VCDP has handed over projects and starter-packs to youth fabricators and urged beneficiaries to avoid selling equipment but use them to better their lives.
Mrs. Soludo made the official handover during the commissioning and handover ceremony in Awka where over twelve youths were empowered with different agricultural equipment after the completion of their training by FG/IFAD/VCDP.
The Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) Project aims to improve the income and food for poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava on a sustainable basis as well as addressing issues of financial, youth and gender inclusion, environment and climate change.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Soludo revealed the readiness of the present administration to continue to support VCDP as the programme programmes, has through it various projects, been increasing income and wellbeing of vulnerable beneficiaries.
She promised to partner the programme and see to the training of 20 youths through IFAD/VCDP next year.
For the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, the event marks a significant leap in shared mission of the present administration to drive mechanisation, enhance productivity and ultimately improve the livelihood of small holder farmers.
He urged the beneficiaries to take pride in what they have achieved and make the support a stepping stone to greater achievements.
On her part, the National Programme Coordinator, VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu who spoke through the Human Resource Adviser, Mr. Bello Gidado expressed satisfaction with the distribution of the starter packs to the 12 youths trained on equipment fabrication and distribution of tricycles to farmers in Anambra State.
According to her, it marks another milestone for VCDP as a project in Anambra State as several women group will be receiving Agro-processing equipment that will add value to their processing products.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Acting State Programme Coordinator, Anambra State Value Chain Development Programme (ANSVCDP), Dr. Debby Onyefulu, revealed that the empowerment of farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs in Anambra State is initiative of the programme and stated that the collaboration between the state, Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has been instrumental in transforming rice and cassava farming across the state since 2015.
Dr Onyefulu said the programme is testament to their commitment to fostering innovation, inclusivity, and self-reliance in agriculture.
The benefiting youths were trained on fabrication and maintenance of Agricultural tools and equipment, and also support them with simple agricultural machines such as threshers, power tillers, and processing equipment for rice and cassava to enhance their production and productivity.
