The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has distributed agro-produce processing equipment worth millions of naira to youths and women cooperatives in Anambra State.
The distribution, which took place in Awka, the Anambra State capital, was carried out at a ceremony on Thursday under the Value Chain Development Programme.
The equipment was presented to 20 newly trained fabricators and cooperatives by the Anambra State Project Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Mrs Deborah Onyefulu.
Onyefulu said the distribution represented the second tranche of the programme’s empowerment initiative in the state.
She said the initiative was aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains and enhancing livelihoods across participating communities.
According to her, the start-up packs for the trained youths in welding and fabrication included standby generators, starter and welding machines, inverter welding machines, filing and drilling machines, container bodies, angle machines, tool sets and grinding machines.
She added that complete sets of cassava processing equipment were also distributed to women cooperatives under a 70 per cent to 30 per cent cost-sharing arrangement.
Onyefulu explained that creche materials were provided to support nursing mothers during processing activities.
She disclosed that the 20 youth beneficiaries, made up of 18 males and two females, were selected from the nine local government areas where the FGN/IFAD-VCDP is currently being implemented in Anambra.
Commending the trainees for their dedication, Onyefulu urged them to deploy the skills and equipment acquired to improve their livelihoods and contribute to community development.
The project coordinator also revealed that a monitoring and mentorship team had been constituted to ensure optimal utilisation of the equipment and sustained impact of the intervention.
She appreciated the Anambra State Government for providing an enabling environment for the effective implementation of the programme.
Inaugurating the distribution, the Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, commended the VCDP for supporting farmers, youths and women in the state.
Ihejiofor said the intervention aligned with the agricultural transformation agenda of the Soludo administration, adding that the processing equipment for garri, rice and vegetables would help reduce post-harvest losses and contribute to a reduction in food prices.
He urged the beneficiaries to apply their improved skills and modern equipment to boost productivity, stimulate healthy competition and make food more affordable.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Rose Machi from Ayamelum Council area, expressed gratitude to VCDP and the Anambra State Government for the intervention and pledged to make judicious use of the training and equipment.
Similarly, Mr Chinecherem Ibe from Orumba South Local Council said the support would enable him to practise acquired skills and train others.
