Ebonyi Lawmakers Praise IFAD-VCDP as Thousands of Farmers Benefit From Agricultural Support

The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has commended the International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) for its impact on farmers and rural communities across the state.

The commendation came from the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources during an oversight visit to the IFAD-VCDP State Office in Abakaliki.

The committee chairman, Onyebuchi Ogbadu, praised the programme for improving agricultural productivity, strengthening value chains and helping farmers gain better access to markets for their produce.

Ogbadu also acknowledged the efforts of the State Programme Coordinator, Sunday Ituma, describing the programme’s contributions to rural development as significant.

According to him, the visit was aimed at reviewing the programme’s activities over the past year, assessing its achievements and identifying challenges that may affect its operations.

He assured the programme’s management of the Assembly’s continued support, saying lawmakers would remain committed to policies and legislation capable of promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development in Ebonyi.

Over 18,000 Farmers Receive Direct Support

Presenting the programme’s progress report, Ituma said IFAD-VCDP was established to improve food security and create sustainable sources of income for poor rural households involved in the production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava.

He disclosed that the programme currently covers eight Local Government Areas across Ebonyi’s three senatorial zones.

A total of 23,163 farmers have been profiled under the initiative, while 18,083 beneficiaries had received direct support as of December 31, 2025.

Ituma further stated that all activities contained in the programme’s operational manual and approved budget had been completed.

Roads, Irrigation, Processing Centres Among Achievements

Among the major interventions recorded under the programme are the construction of market facilities, rural access roads, culverts and mini-bridges aimed at improving transportation and access to markets.

The programme has also supported communities with solar-powered boreholes, irrigation systems and sanitation facilities.

Other achievements include the establishment of modern agricultural processing centres and a seed laboratory, as well as farmers’ fields and business schools.

Farmers have also benefited from land-clearing initiatives and subsidised agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, agrochemicals and improved high-yielding seeds.

Call for Permanent Government Agency

Seeking to preserve the gains made by the programme after its project lifespan, Ituma appealed to the State House of Assembly to consider legislation that would transform IFAD-VCDP into a permanent agency of the Ebonyi State Government.

Members of the House Committee, including Abiri Abiri, Steve Igwe, Chinyere Nwogbaga, Victor Nwoke and Arinze Chukwu, also commended the programme’s interventions.

They said the initiatives had contributed to strengthening food production and transforming the state’s agricultural sector.

The lawmakers, however, called on the management to extend the programme to more Local Government Areas across Ebonyi so that additional farming communities could benefit.

Speaking during the vote of thanks, IFAD Agricultural Production Officer, Ongele Darlington, appreciated the lawmakers for the oversight visit, describing it as timely and important for strengthening cooperation between the programme and the state government.