IFAD to enhance agricultural development in Ebonyi

From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has its readiness to enhancing the exchange of ideas among its beneficiaries in Ebonyi.

Mr. Sunday Ituma, the IFAD-VCDP State Programme Coordinator, made the declaration during its learning route programme for benefitting cassava and rice seed entrepreneurs in the state.

Ituma said that such exchange of ideas was part of the programme’s implementation processes which are termed learning routes for agricultural development.

“We take young farmers to successful farmers who have demonstrated best practices in a particular area of our intervention.

“The successful farmers explain how they attained their present status and how they overcame inherent challenges.

“They would explain how they overcame challenges of access to land, finance, extension services, equipment, and inputs among others,” he said.

He noted that the trained farmers would be required to replicate what they learnt to attain the status of successful farmers.

“We have trained over 30 youths at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Oyo on rice seed production.

“The trainees were empowered on return to become viable entrepreneurs as they have even jointly registered a limited liability company.

“They produce all the seeds we give to farmers and have become millionaires in their rights,” he added.

Mr. John Nweze, the IFAD -VCDP Knowledge Management Officer in Ebonyi said that the learning route programme has greatly motivated young farmers to succeed in various agricultural ventures.

“When they learn the secrets of those who have succeeded, they would realize that such successes were not magical and would be focused on achieving success.

“The rice seed entrepreneurs for instance sell the produce in other states and presently have the capacity of solving their immediate needs,” he started.

Mrs. Elizabeth Edu, a Rice Seed Entrepreneur thanked IFAD-VCDP for the training opportunity offered her and pledged to mentor upcoming entrepreneurs to succeed.