The federal government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched a strategic programme on Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF) under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme to connect farmers, processors off-takers, financiers and government to sustainable agricultural systems.
The event which was organised by the National Coordination Office of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Development Programme and Country Programme Advisory Team (CPAT) in Makurdi, Benue State, brought farmers from other states to cross-fertilise ideas for enhance productivity.
The training also brought together stakeholders in the agriculture value chain, including farmers’ groups, off-takers, agro-investors, development partners and government officials on knowledge-sharing experience.
In a welcome address, the Benue State project coordinator of FNG/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing, Dr. Emmanuel Igbaukum, urged participants to be attentive in all the activities earmarked for the training to enable them get what they would impart to farmers in their various places.
Dr Igbaukum in a presentation said the core objectives of CAF was to improve access to credits, markets, inputs and infrastructure.
He disclosed that farmers across five local governments in Benue State including Agatu, Gwer-West, Guma, Gwer-East and Kwande had been trained on budgeting, goal setting, saving, credit use, insurance and investment among others, adding that the training was supported by Winichfarms and Sterling Bank.
