IFAD to inject N5bn into Ebonyi economy in 2017- Coordinator
NAN-H-28
IFAD
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Ezillo (Ebonyi) July 15, 2017 (NAN) Mr Sunday Ituma, the Ebonyi Coordinator of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)—Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), says the Fund will inject N5billion into Ebonyi economy in 2017.
Ituma spoke on Saturday at Ezillo, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi, during the 5th IFAD/ Federal Government of Nigeria Supervision Mission’s visit to the state.
According to Ituma, the figure will be an improvement on the N4billion injected into the state’s economy in 2016.
“IFAD is targeting to distribute farm inputs to between 8, 000 and 10, 000 farmers in 2017; this will enable them to contribute 35, 000 metric tonnes of rice paddies to the state’s economy.
“The recommendations of the supervision mission will be judiciously implemented to improve on our performances as the cooperation from the state government has been instrumental to our success,” he said.
Also, Dr Oyeshola Oyebanji, the supervision mission’s leader, noted that IFAD–VCDP conducted assessment of its performances in participating states twice in a year, after the approval of its work-plan and budgets.
“We can attest that our office in Ebonyi has performed tremendously and we specially thank the state government for its support which has been remarkable.
“The state government fortunately supports the enhancement of the two produce we promote: rice and cassava, it also supports us in land preparation, adoption of best practices, among others,” he said.
He said IFAD was targeting bumper harvest in Ebonyi in 2017 as the mission was satisfied with the input distribution system and cooperative groups’ administration put in place.
Prof. Jones Nlemchi, a consultant to IFAD, noted that the programme sought to make the youths embrace agriculture as a business oriented venture through conscious choice and not default.
“We support any farming technology that will reduce cost per unit output and trigger production increase from five tonnes per hectare to eight tonnes per hectare,” he said.
Chief Ogodo-Ali Nome, Ebonyi Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, noted that IFAD contributed tremendously to the success recorded in agriculture in 2016.
“We urge you to increase your operations from the present five local council areas to 13, because people are insinuating that you have taken over all agricultural practices in the state,” he said.
He expressed optimism that IFAD would continue to enhance the production skills of farmers through the intervention of its technical experts.
Miss Cynthia Edeze, a youth trained in cassava multiplication by IFAD, pledged to train other youths in cassava production among other farming ventures.(NAN)
RCO/MO/OU
Edited by Morayo Omolade/Obike Ukoh
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