FG Reaffirms Support for IFAD Programme to Boost Rural Growth, Agribusiness
Government calls for faster fund disbursement, timely counterpart contributions and stronger private-sector participation to maximise impact
ABUJA, October 19, 2026
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-supported Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), describing the initiative as a key driver of rural economic transformation, agricultural productivity and economic diversification.
The commitment was reiterated by Dr Emmanuel Akogun, Director of the Federal Department of Development Partners Projects at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, during the opening of the 13th Joint Federal Government/IFAD Supervision Mission workshop in Abuja.
Mr Akogun said the programme operates in nine states, focusing on rice and cassava value chains to improve production, processing and marketing, strengthen food security, and enhance rural livelihoods.
He noted that investments in these value chains could increase farmers’ incomes, minimise post-harvest losses, improve market access and generate employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people in rural communities.
According to him, the programme has recorded progress in improving agricultural yields, expanding processing enterprises, strengthening farmers’ organisations and connecting producers to more reliable markets.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to consolidating these gains through sustained collaboration with IFAD and the National Programme Management Unit.
Also speaking, Stanley George, Director of the International and Economic Relations Department at the Federal Ministry of Finance, called for accelerated fund disbursement and timely payment of counterpart contributions by state governments to ensure effective programme implementation.
George, who was represented by Andrew Arebun, acknowledged the programme’s progress in agricultural productivity, market access and improving the livelihoods of women and young people.
However, he identified delays in funding, counterpart contributions and the provision of climate-resilient infrastructure as major constraints requiring urgent intervention.
He stressed the need to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve implementation timelines and deepen private-sector participation through commercially viable partnerships between agricultural producers and buyers.
George also underscored the importance of strengthening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that programme resources translate into measurable economic benefits for farmers, rural communities and development partners.
What Investors Need to Know
The VCDP presents opportunities for investment across Nigeria’s rice and cassava value chains, particularly in agro-processing, storage, logistics, transportation and market development.
By strengthening linkages between farmers, processors, distributors and commercial buyers, the programme could improve agricultural value addition, reduce post-harvest losses and create more commercially sustainable farming enterprises.
For investors and agribusiness operators, stronger producer-buyer partnerships could help improve access to agricultural raw materials, expand processing capacity and create opportunities for rural enterprise development.
However, unlocking the programme’s full economic potential will depend on predictable funding, timely counterpart contributions, effective coordination between federal and state governments, climate-resilient infrastructure and stronger connections between agricultural production and market demand.
The programme reinforces the role of agriculture as a catalyst for rural industrialisation, employment generation and Nigeria’s broader economic diversification agenda.
Edited by
Rosemary Aiyenale
