By Henry C. Anagboso
Over N250 million worth of farm inputs were flagged off by the Anambra State Government for distribution to rural farmers at Oye Achalla in Awka North Local Government Council.
The inputs provided were to cover for 703.5 hectares of rice farm and 515 hectares of Cassava farm within the participating local government councils.
The occasion marked the launch of the VCDP 2025 Wet Season Inputs Distribution, representing a noteworthy advancement in the state’s agricultural development initiatives.
This gathering highlighted the collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector and underscored the government’s commitment to supporting farmers through strategic agricultural programmes like the VCDP.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Forster Ihejiofor explained that the present administration is keen about regenerative agriculture by using natural manure and a method of giving back to nature to produce healthier food.
He commended the IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) on behalf of the state government and recalled that the visionary governor last year flagged off “The Time To Feed Campaign” when the nation was boiling and people were agitating due to high cost of food, urging the citizens to go into the farm and produce food themselves.
Dr. Ihejiofor, further applauded the VCDP team in the state for the good record they have kept in making the state and VCDP as an agency proud with the successes and achievements in programme implementation.
“Today, here in Achalla Awka North, we are flagging off the distribution of inputs in support to farmers and families that engaged in farm to feed activities”.
His Royal Majesty, Igwe Sunny Nwokedi, Igwe of Achalla, expressed his pleasure over such gestures to farmers which is geared at improved production for the Anambra farmers and the country at large. He however called for other means of managing weeds that is not so damaging to the health than the use of herbicides.
Furthermore, the State Progromme Coordinator Anambra State VCDP, Dr. Deborah I. Onyefulu said the inputs support flag-off was part of the 2025 wet season activities and would be carried out across the nine (9) participating LGAs
According to her, inputs provided include; 40kg improved rice seed, 4 bags of NPK, 2 bags of Urea, 1 liter of non-elective herbicides with 1 liter of selective herbicides for rice cultivation per hectare and 50 bundles of cassava cuttings, 4 bags of NPK, 1 liter of non-selective herbicides and 1 liter of selective herbicides per hectare of cassava farm.
She added that the inputs was on matching grant basis with farmers paying 50% cost while IFAD match grant with 50%.
The flag-off event drew the presence of relevant stakeholders, consisting of government representatives, member of the House Committee on Agriculture, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Mayor of Awka North LGA, permanent secretary, the Civil Society Organization, inputs supply managers and the local farming community.
- Anagboso is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
This is great.It is another form of empower for poverty eradication for Ndi Anambra