Speaking at the launch in Jalingo, the Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Nicholas Namessan, urged farmers to put the items to proper use in order to boost yields and improve livelihoods. Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Salah Ali, he cautioned against diverting or selling the inputs, warning that offenders would face strict sanctions.
“The inputs provided are meant to enhance productivity, improve your standard of living, and contribute to food security for the nation. I encourage you to use them wisely,” Namessan said.
Earlier, the State Programme Coordinator of VCDP, Mr. Irimiya Musa, explained that the intervention was designed to strengthen agricultural productivity, encourage value addition, and raise the incomes of smallholder farmers. Represented by Mr. Bedu Wiza, he emphasized that the distributed items—including improved cassava stems, fertilizers, and other essential inputs—are critical for increasing food output and supporting rural prosperity.
Musa expressed appreciation to Governor Agbu Kefas for consistently ensuring the prompt release of counterpart funding for the programme, describing it as a lifeline for rural farmers. He also commended the Commissioner of Agriculture and other stakeholders for their continued support.
He further noted that VCDP’s interventions in Taraba, made possible through collaboration between IFAD, the Federal Government, and the state government, have significantly transformed rural communities in recent years.
The programme is currently supporting cassava and rice production, processing, and marketing in Gassol, Karim-Lamido, Wukari, Ardo-Kola, Takum, Donga, Jalingo, and Bali local government areas of the state.