Nasarawa Pledges Continuity of FG, IFAD Value Chain Programme Beyond 2026

Nasarawa Pledges Continuity of FG, IFAD Value Chain Programme Beyond 2026

Reported by Sele Media Africa|Ihuoma Amarachi

LAFIA — The Nasarawa State Government has pledged to continue supporting the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) even beyond its current 2026 timeline, reinforcing its commitment to agricultural development, food security, and rural poverty reduction.

This assurance was given by Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources, Nuhu Oshafu, during a strategic stakeholders’ review meeting with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and key development partners in Lafia.

Governor Sule stated that the success of the VCDP in enhancing rice and cassava production, building rural infrastructure, and improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods across Nasarawa’s LGAs warranted its sustainability beyond donor timelines. He further noted the programme’s impact on women and youth empowerment, citing increased productivity and market access.

The IFAD Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, praised Nasarawa for its effective implementation and transparency, calling the state a “model for agricultural development” in Nigeria. She also stressed the need for other states to develop exit strategies that will allow continuous funding and ownership of such programmes.

The FGN/IFAD VCDP is currently being implemented in 9 Nigerian states and focuses on supporting smallholder farmers along the rice and cassava value chains through capacity-building, input access, and rural infrastructure such as roads and processing facilities.

Sources: –

[The Guardian Nigeria – Nasarawa pledges to sustain IFAD programme](https://guardian.ng/news/nasarawa-pledges-to-sustain-fgn-ifad-value-chain-programme/) – [Leadership News – IFAD, FG commend Nasarawa on VCDP impact](https://leadership.ng/ifad-fg-commend-nasarawa-on-vcdp-impact/) – [IFAD Nigeria](https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/w/country/nigeria)

About The Author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace

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Ihuoma Amarachi Grace is a journalist with Sele Media Africa, committed to telling authentic African stories with depth and creativity. A Christian and a student of English and Literary Studies, she blends her love for writing with the art of spoken word to inspire and inform. Her voice adds a thoughtful and artistic dimension to Sele Media’s mission of amplifying unheard voices across the continent.

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