Ebonyi commends IFAD-VCDP for extending operations to more LGAs

The Ebonyi government has commended the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)—assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) for extending its operations to additional three Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state.

IFAD-VCDP operates in Afikpo South, Izzi, Ikwo, Ohaozara and Ishielu LGAs of the state but has presently extended its operations to Ivo, Ezza North and Ohaukwu LGAs.

Ebonyi Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources  Chief Moses Nome made the commendation on Tuesday during the programmes’s mission team visit to the state.

He said IFAD-VCDP has become a household name in the state.

Nome stated that such extensions would enable farmers in the new councils benefit from IFAD-VCDP’s numerous interventions like those in the five LGA’s.

“You have fulfilled most of our requests as the addition of the new councils in your operations is a milestone which the government and people of the state appreciate.

“People do not easily embrace such programmes but that of IFAD-VCDP is aimed at lifting the standard of the rural farmers and enhancing agricultural production in the state,” he said.

He urged the progamme to use the extension of its operations to the new councils to address the problem of matching grant payment experienced by farmers.

“The farmers find it difficult to pay the matching grant expected of them in assessing your interventions, so evolve new methods of assisting them in this situation.”

“You have impacted much on our farmers especially in the areas of rice and cassava cultivation as we assure that the government will offset all outstanding counterpart fund payments,” he said.

IFAD-VCDP Country Director in Nigeria equally commended the political-will shown by the Ebonyi government in agriculture especially on the programme’s activities.

“We however urge the government to expedite action in offsetting its remaining counterpart fund payments to assist IFAD-VCDP execute its mandate in the state,” he said.

Ebonyi Commissioner for Finance, Mr Obinna Nwachukwu, assured of the state government’s continued support to IFAD-VCDP and the payment of the outstanding counterpart fund.

“The lean resources of the state are being deployed into several projects and programmes but the government would all do its best to support the programme.

“The outstanding payments have been captured in our budget and with the IFAD-VCDP team, meeting the governor over the issue, they would never be disappointed,” he said.

IFAD-VCDP State Programme Coordinator (SPC) Mr Sunday Ituma stated that the programme budgeted over N466million for 2019 and has made a total disbousement of N132million between Jan.1 to March.31, 2019.

The total expenditure on IFAD loan is over N123million representing enting 34 per cent of IFAD funding in 2019,” he said.

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