The Federal Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), has provided agro-processing equipment to 20 newly trained youths and women cooperatives in Anambra State.
The equipment, valued at about ₦310 million, was handed over to the beneficiaries in Awka by the Anambra State VCDP Programme Coordinator, Mrs Deborah Onyefulu.
Onyefulu explained that the exercise marked the second phase of the programme’s empowerment initiative aimed at strengthening local agro-processing capacity.
She noted that the start-up packages for youths trained in welding and fabrication included standby generators, start-and-weld machines, inverter welding machines, filing and drilling machines, angle and grinding machines, container bodies and other essential tools.
According to her, women cooperatives received complete cassava processing equipment worth ₦100 million under a cost-sharing arrangement, with the programme covering 70 per cent and beneficiaries contributing the remaining 30 per cent.
She added that creche materials valued at ₦30 million were also distributed to women cooperatives to support childcare and enhance productivity.
The coordinator disclosed that the 20 youth beneficiaries—18 males and two females—were drawn from the nine local government areas where the VCDP operates in the state.
Onyefulu commended the participants for successfully completing their training and urged them to deploy their skills and equipment to improve livelihoods within their communities.
She also revealed that a monitoring and mentorship team had been put in place to ensure effective use of the equipment, while appreciating the Anambra State Government for creating a supportive environment for the programme.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, praised the Federal Government and IFAD for the intervention, describing it as consistent with the agricultural development agenda of the Soludo administration.
Ihejiọfor said the processing equipment for garri, rice and vegetables would help curb post-harvest losses and contribute to lowering food prices.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ms Rose Machi from Ayamelum and Mr Chinecherem Ibe from Orumba expressed appreciation for the support, pledging to apply their skills effectively and extend the knowledge gained to others in their communities.