FG/IFAD-VCDP distributes equipment, empowerment tools to Kogi farmers, PWDs

FG/IFAD-VCDP Distributes Equipment and Empowerment Tools to Kogi Farmers and Persons with Disabilities

The Federal Government, through the IFAD-Assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Kogi State, has distributed agricultural equipment to farmers and provided start-up packs to 33 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), promoting inclusion, self-reliance, and sustainable livelihoods.

The distribution event took place on Monday in Lokoja and targeted farmers engaged in production, processing, and marketing, as well as women beneficiaries across five local government areas: Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Ibaji, Olamaboro, and Kabba-Bunu.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Moses Dare, emphasized that the initiative underscores the importance of inclusive development.

He noted that under Governor Ahmed Ododo’s leadership, the Kogi State Government remains committed to advancing agricultural development, reducing poverty, and ensuring the inclusion of vulnerable groups.

“This is not merely about providing equipment; it is about creating opportunities, promoting self-reliance, strengthening livelihoods, and restoring confidence,” he said.

Dare urged beneficiaries to use the distributed items productively and encouraged them to embrace cooperative structures to maximize the benefits of the intervention.

Dr. Stella Adejoh, State Project Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP in Kogi, highlighted that the programme operates under the principle that “disability is not inability.”

She disclosed that while farmers contributed 30% toward the cost of the equipment, the support provided to PWDs was completely free of charge.

Items distributed to PWD beneficiaries included bags of rice, tables, chairs, bowls, and Point of Sale terminals. Prior to the distribution, beneficiaries had received training on how to use the equipment to establish and manage small businesses.

Adejoh added that approximately 300 farmers received equipment such as knapsack sprayers, solar-powered pumping machines, threshers, wheelbarrows, and shovels.

“In addition, 350 women received energy-efficient cooking stoves linked to briquetting machines, which convert rice husk and other agricultural waste into clean fuel. We expect this intervention to be sustainable, and beneficiaries are encouraged to use these items for their intended purposes,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to Governor Ododo for the timely payment of counterpart funds and to the Ministry of Agriculture for its continued support of the programme.

Adejoh noted that the VCDP had profiled 7,575 farmers across the five local government areas and had, so far, supported around 5,600 farmers involved in the cassava and rice value chains.

This intervention is part of broader efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains, enhance farmers’ productivity and livelihoods, reduce post-harvest losses, and bolster food security in the state.

Beneficiaries, including Yakubu Mohammed from Olamaboro, Glory Omale from Ibaji, and Latifat Babatunde from Ajaokuta, expressed their gratitude to VCDP, IFAD, and the state government for their support.

One beneficiary of the briquette stove remarked, “The stove uses briquettes made from rice husk. We really thank God for this support.”