The Taraba State Government has cautioned farmers against selling agricultural inputs provided under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), stressing that offenders will face strict sanctions.
Prof. Nicholas Namessan, Taraba Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, gave the warning on Saturday while flagging off the distribution of VCDP inputs for cassava farmers for the 2025 wet season in the state.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Salah Ali, the commissioner urged farmers to use the inputs responsibly to boost food production and improve their livelihoods.
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“I urge you all to ensure that you make judicious use of the inputs given to you so as to enhance productivity, improve your standard of living, and strengthen food security for the country,” Namessan stated.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Irimiya Musa, the VCDP State Programme Coordinator (SPC), said the initiative was strategically designed to improve agricultural productivity, promote value addition, and uplift the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Represented by Mr. Bedu Wiza, Musa emphasized that the inputs—comprising improved cassava varieties, fertilizers, and other essential agro-inputs—were vital to enhancing cassava production and achieving food security.
He cautioned beneficiaries against diverting the items, assuring that proper application would help farmers attain significant progress in agricultural development and rural prosperity.
Musa commended Governor Agbu Kefas for ensuring the prompt release of counterpart funding, which has sustained the programme for the benefit of rural farmers across the state.
He also praised Prof. Namessan and other stakeholders for their unwavering support in driving the success of the programme, describing VCDP as one of the most impactful interventions for rural communities in recent years.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that the VCDP intervention is targeted at improving rice and cassava production, processing, and marketing in Gassol, Karim-Lamido, Wukari, Ardo-Kola, Takum, Donga, Jalingo, and Bali local government areas of Taraba State.
