Victoria Mbangwa
The collaboration between the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is enhancing rice production in Niger State while also improving farmers’ economic well-being. Through the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), many farmers are being lifted out of poverty.
This was evident during a media tour of rice farming and processing communities in Edati Local Government Area, where farmers shared how the program has improved their livelihoods.
Hajiya Fatima Isah, the State Programme Coordinator for the VCDP, highlighted how the initiative has empowered farmers with training and essential farming equipment, enabling them to expand their cultivation beyond rainfed agriculture. Before the intervention, farmers were limited to seasonal farming, with little to no activity during the dry season.
Isah explained, “We are here to document the success stories of the farmers that VCDP has supported since the beginning of the program. Edati is one of the communities where we have implemented many supports for the farmers, especially the rice farmers.
“Before, they were engaged in rainfed agriculture, doing nothing during the dry season. We trained them on good agronomic practices and empowered them with a solar irrigation system. Some of them then decided to venture into dry season farming.”
“When they started the dry season farming, we trained them and supported them with solar irrigation pumps. From there, they expanded their farms.
“Before, some were farming just 2 hectares of land per person—while others did 1 hectare or even ½. But when we supported them with all the equipment, like power tillers and solar irrigation pumps, they started expanding their farms.
“Also before, they normally had 2 metric tons per hectare, and some even had less than that. But now, the farmers in Edati can boast of harvesting up to 6.5–7 metric tons per hectare. You could see from their success stories that this intervention has already changed their lives,” she said.
“They have a lot of success stories. Every year, most of them go to Hajj. Some of them now have houses, and their children are now in the city schooling instead of attending village schools because they can now pay their school fees, whether in Minna or other places. So you can see that the farmers’ income has increased because of this intervention.”
This transformation has had a profound impact on the farmers’ standard of living. Many who once struggled to make ends meet can now afford to send their children to better schools in Minna and other urban areas. Others have built houses, expanded their farms, and even embarked on religious pilgrimages to Mecca.
The success of the VCDP in Niger State showcases how targeted agricultural interventions can drive economic growth, improve food security, and lift rural communities out of poverty. With continued support, more farmers across the state could benefit from similar life-changing opportunities.
