The Niger State Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing (VCDP+AF), has achieved major progress in strengthening the state’s rice and cassava value chains.
We gathered that the Coordinator of the State Programme Management Unit (SPMU), Hajiya Hadizat Isah, highlighted the accomplishments during a Steering Committee meeting held in Minna on Saturday.
Presenting the programme’s performance report, Isah said the initiative had consistently delivered on its core objectives despite operational hurdles. She noted that the VCDP+AF had “continued to meet its targets,” recording notable growth in both rice and cassava value chains.
She explained that the programme remained focused on empowering smallholder farmers, enhancing market linkages, and expanding agribusiness prospects across participating communities. According to her, the intervention had advanced farmer training, supplied climate-resilient inputs, rehabilitated key rural infrastructure, and strengthened public-private collaborations.
Isah disclosed that thousands of farmers had benefited from capacity-building activities, enterprise development support, and the introduction of improved technologies—efforts that have boosted productivity and increased household incomes. She reaffirmed the programme’s dedication to raising agricultural output and improving the livelihoods of rural dwellers. She also praised Gov. Umaru Bago, IFAD, and the Federal Government for their unwavering backing, describing their contributions as essential to the programme’s achievements.
She further emphasised the importance of continued cooperation among stakeholders to sustain the momentum already gained.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Matthew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Agriculture and Chairman of the Steering Committee, applauded the progress recorded so far. He reiterated the government’s resolve to strengthen agricultural policies and maintain a supportive environment for growth in the sector.
Ahmed encouraged committee members to keep offering strategic guidance to ensure that the programme remains on course and fully realises its set targets.
The gathering brought together key representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies to review the programme’s implementation and outline the next steps.
