By Henry C. Anagboso
The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Assisted Programme- Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), said it N666 worth intervention in communities was to boost local agricultural production and processing in Anambra State.
Dr. Deborah Onyefulu, State Programme Coordinator, IFAD VCDP, made this known during a media tour of Aguata, Orumba North and South Local Government Areas.
The tour, which was organised by the Anambra State Coordination Office of the FG/IFAD VCDP.
Onyefulu, represented by the Knowledge, Management and Communication Officer, Mr Henry Anagboso, said the programme invested N316 million to provide market infrastructure and processing facilities in Aguata Local Government Area, following its recent profiling.
According to her, the programme has also executed and is currently implementing rice and cassava processing projects worth over N350 million. She explained that the projects are located across Ogboji, Nawfija, Ndiokpalaeze, Ufuma and Omorgho communities in Orumba North and South Local Government Areas.
She assured that the processing centres are expected to be equipped as soon as approval is secured to enable them to commence full operation of the centres.
She, then, enjoined the beneficiaries to take ownership and ensure adequate maintenance of the facilities for sustainability and expected impact.
The President General, Aguluezechukwu Improvement Union, Nze Johnpaul Ezenwaka, represented by the Publicity Secretary, Engr. Agozie Ezike, applauded the IFAD VCDP for giving their Nkwor Market a standard look, and promised security for the facilities.
Also, Mr Chibike Ezeokonkwo, Chairman, Bounty Harvest Cooperative Society, expressed his proud gratitude to the Anambra State Government and pledged the cooperative commitment on the maintenance of the facilities given them.
Similarly, a beneficiary, Mrs Chinyere Udogu of
Adabugo Multipurpose Cooperative Society in Umueze Isuofia community, Aguata LGA whose group benefitted from a cassava processing centre, a crèche for nursing mothers and solar-house dryer facilities, thanked the government and VCDP for such facilities which she explained that they only contributed 10 per cent in the form of donated land and direct labour for the facilities.
Her counterpart, Mrs Ada Nwokeabia from Emeka Nawfija Cooperative Society at Ohukabia in Nawfija, Orumba South LGA, described the intervention as life-changing and a major boost to local agricultural production and processing.
Henry is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
