IFAD-VCDP tutors Agric workers on record keeping

Mrs Vera Onyeaka-Onyilo, Knowledge Management and Communication Adviser, IFAD-VCDP made the remarks at a training for the IFAD’s agriculture extension agents, on Monday, in Awka.

Onyeaka-Onyilo said keeping good records would attract both local and International investment. “It would also create wealth and jobs”.

TheNewsZenith reports that FGN/IFAD-VCDP is aimed at developing agricultural markets and increasing market access for smallholder farmers and agro-processors.

The eight benefiting states of the programme are Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Niger, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kogi and Taraba.

Onyeaka-Onyilo said the programme received additional financing in two batches due to encouraging record-keeping from field officials.

The IFAD-VCDP began in 2010 with emphasis on production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava.

“Farmers were producing about 3.5 tons of rice and 4.5 tons of cassava per hectare respectively before the programme started.

“But with success reports, we uncovered that farmers supported by the agency could achieve seven tons of rice per hectare.

“They could also achieve between 10 and 14 tons of cassava per hectare respectively,” she said.

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Because of this fit, she said, the programme got additional financing one and two.

She expressed optimism that the international organisation might further extend its activities in Nigeria if reports revealed more positive achievements.

“We like to know how this is impacting the livelihood of the beneficiaries, especially the rural,” she said.

She said the training aims at boosting extension and liaison officers’ knowledge to focus on mainstreaming areas of the programme.

“With additional financing, our emphasis now is on the mainstreaming areas of nutrition, financial inclusion, gender/women empowerment and climate change.”

Mr Henry Anagboso, Anambra Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, said participating extension officers, Liaison Officers and farmers were selected from the eight participating local government areas of the state.

He advised the participants to apply the skills taught to them during the training for enhanced reportage on the direct and indirect activities of the agency.

Mrs Chioma Uzodike, a participant in the training, described the event as impactful and pledged to utilise the gains of the training.