FG, IFAD Support 476 Taraba Farmers with Inputs

The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have provided farm input packages worth N373,000 each to 476 farmers in Taraba State to strengthen food production and support Nigeria’s food security drive. The intervention targets farmers across eight local government areas under the IFAD-supported Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).

The support, designed for the 2026 wet farming season, is expected to increase rice and cassava production, improve rural incomes and strengthen food security. Beneficiaries were selected from Ardo-Kola, Bali, Donga, Gassol, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Takum and Wukari local government areas.

Speaking during the distribution in Jalingo, National Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, represented by Alhaji Nura Daura, said the initiative would help farmers adopt modern, research-based farming methods capable of improving productivity and livelihoods. She said, “This initiative is part of our continuous effort to strengthen the production base and enhance the livelihoods of our hardworking farmers, who are the backbone of our rural economy.”

Dr Aliyu explained that the intervention operates under the VCDP matching grant scheme, with each beneficiary contributing N186,500, representing 50 per cent of the package value. Each farmer will receive NPK fertiliser, two bags of urea, 50 kilogrammes of rice seed, and two litres of pre- and post-emergence herbicides.

Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Nicholas Namessan, represented by Mrs Serah Ali, described the programme as a major boost for the state’s agricultural sector. He said the continued partnership between the Federal Government, IFAD-VCDP, and the Taraba State Government has improved farmers’ incomes, expanded food production and strengthened Nigeria’s food security. The state programme coordinator, Mr Irimiya Musa, represented by Mr Bulus Maiyaki, urged beneficiaries to use the inputs responsibly to maximise yields and support sustainable agricultural growth.

How can similar agricultural support programmes help improve food production across other states in Nigeria?