IFAD and Nigeria's Government Address VCDP Challenges

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Government have called for urgent measures to address implementation challenges and sustain the achievements of the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) as it approaches completion in 2027. This call was made during the inception workshop of the programme’s 13th Joint Supervision Mission in Abuja.

IFAD Country Director Mohamed El-Ghazaly emphasized the need to consolidate gains in rice and cassava production and improve financial performance to ensure continued benefits for rural communities post-programme. He noted that VCDP is a significant investment in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, having expanded from six states to nine through additional financing.

The mission aims to assess results, identify gaps, and agree on corrective actions for a sustainable conclusion. Dr Emma Oladipo Akogun, Director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stated that VCDP has achieved over 98 percent of its outreach target and has promoted improved agricultural practices and partnerships among stakeholders.