The Federal Government has reaffirmed its support for the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), a joint initiative with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aimed at improving rural livelihoods, strengthening food security and expanding economic opportunities for smallholder farmers.
The programme focuses on Nigeria’s rice and cassava value chains, supporting farmers and processors through improved agricultural inputs, processing infrastructure, market access and stronger links between producers and buyers. IFAD says the initiative has benefited nearly 100,000 rural people, particularly women and young people.
The renewed focus on sustaining the programme’s impact comes as the Federal Government and IFAD work to address implementation challenges and preserve its achievements beyond its scheduled completion in 2027.
At the inception workshop for the programme’s 13th Joint Supervision Mission in Abuja, officials called for measures to strengthen implementation, improve financial performance and ensure that investments continue to benefit rural communities after the programme ends.
The IFAD Country Director, Mohamed El-Ghazaly, said the supervision mission would assess the programme’s progress, identify gaps and agree on corrective measures to support a sustainable conclusion.
The programme has expanded from six states to nine through additional financing, with interventions covering production, processing and marketing. Its approach also includes climate-resilient agricultural practices and public-private-producer partnerships designed to connect farmers with markets and reduce post-harvest losses.
In February, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the programme had reached about 150,000 farmers and processors, exceeding its initial target of 135,000. The programme’s national coordinator, Fatima Aliyu, also highlighted its role in helping smallholder farmers develop viable businesses and create employment.
Beyond increasing agricultural output, VCDP seeks to improve incomes by strengthening the wider value chain, from farm production to processing and sales. Better processing facilities and market connections can help farmers reduce losses, improve product quality and secure more reliable outlets for their produce.
The programme also supports women and young people involved in agricultural production and agribusiness, contributing to efforts to make rural economies more productive and inclusive.
As the initiative approaches its planned completion, attention is shifting towards ensuring that farmer organisations, processing centres, market partnerships and other investments remain functional without continued programme support.
The success of that transition will depend on effective coordination among federal and state governments, development partners, farmers and private-sector buyers. Sustaining these structures will be important to maintaining the programme’s contribution to rural employment, food security and economic growth.
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