By Abraham Ovuoba
Date: 15th October, 2026
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has appealed to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Government to extend years of operation of the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in the state to boost agricultural productivity, food security and rural economic development.
Nwifuru made the appeal on Thursday, while receiving the 13th Joint Supervision Mission of the Federal Government of Nigeria and IFAD/VCDP during a courtesy visit to the Government House.
The governor commended IFAD and the Federal Government for supporting farmers and rural communities through the programme, describing VCDP as one of the most impactful development interventions in the state because of its people-centred approach.
He explained that the programme addressed communities’ actual needs rather than allowing government officials to determine beneficiaries, adding that its interventions had created opportunities for farmers, women, youths and agricultural processors.
While calling for the inclusion of the five remaining local government areas into the program, Gov Nwifuru praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting agricultural development. He also commended the State Programme Coordinator of IFAD, Chief Sunday Michael Ituma for his commitment to the programme’s implementation.
He also assured the visiting team of the state government’s continued support, noting that the programme had delivered projects in several communities, including his hometown.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, in her welcome address, said VCDP had improved agricultural production, processing, rural infrastructure and household livelihoods across eight participating local government areas.
She particularly commended Nwifuru for consistently providing counterpart funds and supporting the partnership between the state government, IFAD and the Federal Government.
The commissioner also appealed for the inclusion of the remaining five local government areas in future interventions, noting that agriculture remained central to the livelihoods of the state’s population.
Responding, the IFAD Country Director, Mohamed El-Ghazaly, said that Ebonyi was among the six states that participated in the programme’s first phase, describing the state as an important partner in its implementation.
He said the ongoing 13th Joint Supervision Mission was assessing the organisation’s achievements, identifying areas for improvement and examining sustainability arrangements ahead of the programme’s completion in June 2027 and closure in December 2027.
El-Ghazaly also acknowledged the state’s request for expansion but explained that the decisions for an additional coverage would involve the relevant federal authorities’ discretion.
He, however, expressed IFAD’s readiness to support successful scale-up efforts, subject to the necessary approvals and counterpart funding.
Similarly, the National Programme Coordinator, Mrs Fatima Aliyu, urged beneficiary communities to protect and maintain facilities provided under the programme, stressing that the investments were intended to improve their livelihoods.
During field inspections in Izzi Local Government Area, the mission visited agricultural projects at Ndieze Inyimagu, where Mrs Edeze Cynthia Nnenna showcased an integrated farming enterprise comprising cassava farms, a tomato greenhouse, piggery and fish farm.
Nnenna disclosed that the enterprise had expanded its cassava cultivation from one hectare to four hectares, employed 15 permanent workers and about 20 casual workers, while supporting additional farmers with land, funds and agricultural inputs.
At Ogbodo Ndiegu, Igbeagu, the community representative, Prince Pascal Nwenyi commended the construction of a market store but appealed for assistance with access roads as it affect the marketers and the community members particularly during the rainy season.
The team also inspected projects at the Abakaliki Rice Mill, including a creche and rice processing facilities, where the country director praised beneficiaries for maximising the use of agricultural resources, including rice husks.
The mission is expected to assess project achievements, challenges and sustainability measures while strengthening collaboration towards improved agricultural livelihoods and food security in Ebonyi State.
