Niger, IFAD Celebrate Major Strides in Rice and Cassava Value Chains, Push for Expanded Support to Smallholder Farmers
The Niger State Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing (VCDP+AF) say they have recorded remarkable progress in strengthening rice and cassava value chains across the state, with thousands of smallholder farmers benefiting from improved technologies, training and better market linkages.
The disclosure was made by Hajiya Hadizat Isah, Coordinator of the Niger State Programme Management Unit (SPMU), during a Steering Committee meeting held in Minna.
Strong Performance Despite Operational Challenges
Presenting the programme’s latest achievement report, Isah said VCDP+AF has continued to meet and in some areas exceed its targets despite challenges such as rising input costs, logistics constraints, climate variability and limited rural infrastructure.
According to her, the initiative has delivered significant gains across four core areas:
Farmer capacity-building: Over 10,000 farmers and processors (based on IFAD’s 2023 VCDP national progress data) have been trained in good agronomic practices (GAP), financial literacy, safe use of agrochemicals and enterprise management.
Climate-smart agriculture: Farmers received certified seeds, improved cassava stems, organic soil enhancers and small-scale irrigation kits to strengthen resilience against erratic rainfall.
Rural infrastructure rehabilitation: Ongoing renovation of feeder roads, culverts, rice processing centres and market stalls has enhanced rural connectivity and reduced post-harvest losses.
Public-private partnerships: The programme has brokered linkages between farmer groups and major off-takers, including millers and agro-processors, ensuring guaranteed markets and fair pricing.
She noted that these interventions have translated into higher yields, lower post-harvest losses, and increased incomes, with some rice farmers recording yield improvements from an average of 2.5 tonnes/ha to 4 tonnes/ha consistent with IFAD’s national VCDP yield impact reports.
Thousands Empowered Through Technology Adoption
Isah stated that thousands of smallholder farmers and processors have been empowered to adopt improved technologies such as power tillers, threshers, parboiling units and solar dryers equipment that has significantly enhanced efficiency in rice and cassava processing.
She commended Governor Umaru Bago, IFAD and the Federal Government for their sustained support, describing their contributions as “critical to consolidating gains already being witnessed in rural communities.”
State Government Reaffirms Commitment to Agriculture
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Matthew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Agriculture and Chairman of the Steering Committee, applauded the programme’s milestones and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a stronger enabling environment for agricultural transformation.
Ahmed emphasized that strengthening value chains aligns with Niger State’s ongoing push for food security, youth agribusiness development, and export-oriented crop production.
He urged committee members to continue providing strategic guidance to ensure the programme maintains its momentum and meets its deliverables.
Stakeholders Chart New Path Forward
The meeting brought together representatives from key ministries, departments and agencies to review progress and outline next steps for scaling up interventions. Discussions focused on:
Expanding mechanisation support
Increasing women and youth participation
Deepening private sector partnerships
Addressing post-harvest storage gaps
Strengthening climate adaptation tools for farmers
With IFAD’s national VCDP expected to continue through 2026, stakeholders say Niger State is well positioned to record even greater gains in productivity, rural income growth and agribusiness expansion.