Taraba State has warned that the state government will mercilessly deal with any farmer caught selling farm inputs meant to enhance food production and food security in the state.
The state government said yesterday that it would deal decisively with farmers found selling the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)’s Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) inputs meant to enhance food production in the state.
The state commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Nicholas Namessan, stated this while flagging off the distribution of IFAD’s VCDP inputs for 2025 wet season cassava farmers in Taraba State.
The commissioner, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Salah Ali, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs to enhance production.
The VCDP state programme coordinator (SPC), Irimiya Musa, said the programme was strategically designed to enhance Agricultural productivity, promote value addition, and improve the livelihoods of small-holder farmers.
Represented by Bedu Wiza, Musa said the inputs distributed, including improved seeds, fertilisers and other critical agro-inputs, were crucial for boosting cassava production for enhanced food security.
While encouraging beneficiaries to use the inputs as expected and not to sell, the coordinator assured them that the right application of the items would enable them to achieve greater heights in agricultural development and rural prosperity.
He applauded Governor Agbu Kefas for ensuring prompt payment of counterpart funding for the programme for the benefit of the rural farmers.
Musa also lauded the state commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security and other stakeholders for their unalloyed support for the programme.
He noted that VCDP, which was intervening due to the partnership between IFAD, the Federal Government, and the Taraba State government, was the best thing that has happened to the rural communities in recent years.
