FG Distributes Post-Harvest Equipment to Farmers to Reduce Waste and Enhance Rural Employment – THISDAYLIVE

Key Takeaways

The Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, launched the distribution of processing and post-harvest equipment in Nasarawa State.
This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity and empower women and youth farmers through the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).
Governor Abdullahi Sule supports the reforms aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda, enhancing food security and job creation.

Program Launch and Goals

Senator Abubakar Kyari, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has initiated the distribution of processing and post-harvest equipment to farmers and agribusinesses in Nasarawa State. This initiative forms part of the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and is designed to foster enterprise growth, enhance market participation, and create rural employment opportunities.

During a two-day working visit to Nasarawa, Kyari emphasized the program’s goals: reducing post-harvest losses, empowering women and youth, and promoting competitiveness. Implemented in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the VCDP seeks to address challenges in the rice and cassava value chains through comprehensive investments in production, processing, infrastructure, market access, and institutional support. It is also aligned with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).

Kyari highlighted the initiative’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for agricultural transformation, stating that agriculture must deliver results in terms of food security, employment for youth, farmers’ income, and national stability. He expressed confidence that under President Tinubu’s leadership, agriculture is evolving into a private-sector-driven enterprise, with Nasarawa setting an example.

The minister praised the Nasarawa Agro-Commodity Company (NASACCO) and the One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) for cultivating a favorable investment environment in the state. He commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for his commitment to large-scale agriculture, underscoring ongoing efforts to enhance domestic food supplies, stabilize prices, and generate employment.

Highlighting the results of the collaboration between federal and state efforts, Kyari noted the existence of operational aggregation centers, advanced processing facilities, and robust producer organizations in Nasarawa State. According to a statement from the ministry’s Head of Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, these interventions are crucial for job creation, stabilizing rural incomes, and strengthening the state’s role in national food security.

Governor Sule echoed these sentiments, affirming that the state’s agricultural programs align with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, supporting economic diversification and wealth creation for farmers. The governor reiterated the significance of reform in the agricultural sector to empower youth and women, aiming for increased production and locally sourced revenue.

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