The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has identified land development and effective utilisation of government-owned rice mills as key to increased food production in Ebonyi.
The programme made the declaration in Abakaliki during a policy dialogue with Ebonyi government officials on land development and utilisation of government-owned rice mills.
The IFAD--VCDP National Programme Coordinator, Dr Fatima Aliyu said the policy dialogue was apt as the programme has a mandate of influencing policies that would positively impact on benefiting farmers' lives.
Aliyu represented by the progrmme's Knowledge Management Communication and Policy Advisor, Mrs Vera Onyilo expressed happiness with the turnout of concerned government functionaries at the policy dialogue.
"We strongly believe in Ebonyi government's capacity to continue the good works of IFAD--VCDP as it winds-down in December, 2026.
"We need enough land to increase production while also, ensuring increase in the volume of processed rice in Ebonyi.
"We need functional mills to ensure that Abakaliki rice is seen in all parts of the country because there is high demand for it."
The NPC said that the policy dialogue would elicit commitment from the policy makers which would be monitored to ensure sustained collaboration and actualisation of set goals.
"We seek that VCDP be sustained or mainstreamed in the course of the state ministry of agriculture as an agency or department.
"The state House of Assembly is a critical stakeholder and VCDP is looking up to it for assent on any bill for such mainstreaming or integration."
The Ebonyi Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku commended IFAD--VCDP for its immense contributions to the development of agriculture in the state.
Iyioku represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Fidelis Nwankwo said the state government will always collaborate with IFAD--VCDP to ensure improved food production especially in the rice and cassava value chain.
The IFAD--VCDP State Programme Coordinator (SPC) Mr Sunday Ituma said that land development was a key factor to successful farming because agriculture is not 'done on air"
"When we get land development right, every other thing falls into place as successful agricultural countries have effective land development systems."
Goodwill messages were delivered on the occasion by the state ministry for trade and investment, Ebonyi House of Assembly committe on Agriculture, among other stakeholders.
