Abuja, June 4, 2026 – Five women-led rice processing groups supported under the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD-VCDP) have been honoured with the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Quality Mark Award.
The award presentation took place on Thursday in Abuja during a ceremony organised by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to recognise products that comply with African Standards (ARS) adopted as Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
The beneficiaries, drawn from Borgu, Mokwa, Edati, and Kontagora Local Government Areas of Niger State, were selected based on their strong adherence to internationally accepted quality benchmarks and outstanding performance in rice processing.
Speaking at the event, IFAD Country Director, Ms Dede Ekoue, represented by Country Programme Officer Mrs Chioma Adiele-Okpara, said the recognition reflects steady progress in strengthening agricultural value chains and promoting quality standards in Nigeria.
She noted that the award highlights the impact of the FG/IFAD-VCDP in building stronger agribusinesses, improving product quality, enhancing competitiveness, and supporting inclusive rural economic development.
According to her, the certification goes beyond compliance, also recognising the resilience, commitment, and entrepreneurial drive of women processors in rural communities.
Ekoue said the achievement aligns with IFAD’s broader goal of transforming smallholder farmers and rural producers into viable agribusiness operators.
She added that IFAD-supported interventions across Nigeria continue to focus on improving productivity, value addition, market access, and income generation for rural households.
She stressed that smallholder farmers and processors are key drivers of food systems transformation and should be viewed as business operators rather than mere aid beneficiaries.
Ekoue further explained that the certification demonstrates the results achievable when farmers are supported with appropriate skills, infrastructure, financing, market linkages, and quality assurance systems.
She said compliance with international standards positions the women-led enterprises for wider market access, improved consumer trust, and stronger competitiveness for Nigerian agricultural products.
The IFAD country director also linked the achievement to global and continental frameworks promoting women’s empowerment, rural development, and agricultural resilience.
She reaffirmed IFAD’s continued commitment to programmes that strengthen productivity, expand value addition, improve access to finance and markets, and support sustainable livelihoods.
Also speaking, the National Programme Coordinator of FG/IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, described the award as a major milestone for the beneficiaries.
She said the certification opens opportunities for the processors to expand into regional and continental markets.
According to her, the intervention has empowered participating women to the extent that their products can now compete favourably across Africa, including export opportunities.
Aliyu added that the achievement reflects the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu to support rural farmers and processors in building sustainable agribusinesses.
She noted that the programme is currently being implemented across 63 local government areas in nine states, including Niger, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi.
The initiative, she explained, is designed to strengthen food security while increasing the incomes of smallholder farmers, processors, and marketers.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Rachael Ahmed, said support from the programme enabled her group to expand rice processing capacity from five metric tonnes to 15 metric tonnes.
She added that the recognition would improve visibility for their products and attract greater investment into rice production and processing activities.