| ID: | 82945 |
|---|---|
| Country: | Nigeria |
| Title: | Nigeria - Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) – November 2023 |
| Description: |
Dorothy's journey before the Value Chain Development Program (VCDP) was marked by uncertainty and lack of direction. Despite coming from a farming family and holding an agricultural engineering degree, she struggled to see farming as a viable business and felt unsatisfied professionally. However, joining the VCDP changed her perspective entirely. It transformed her view of agriculture, showing her its potential as a thriving business, and she began approaching farming as a means of adding value to her community. Through VCDP, Dorothy gained essential knowledge about optimal farming practices, including planting times and fertilizer application. This improved her produce significantly, increasing her rice yield from 10 bags per hectare to an impressive 35 bags. She expanded her cultivated land from one hectare to ten, diversified her crops, and engaged in certifications for her produce, driven by a commitment to meet national agricultural standards. As a woman farmer, Dorothy faced challenges such as limited access to land and the devastating impact of climate change. She experienced substantial losses due to floods, which wiped out a significant portion of her farm. Despite these setbacks, she persevered and recognized the necessity of certifying her crops to comply with the criteria set by the National Agricultural Seed Council. Her dedication to continuous learning is evident through her participation in numerous training programs, including business development and seed production. Dorothy's story is a testament to her resilience and determination in transforming her farming practices, contributing to food security in Nigeria, and striving to overcome the hurdles faced by women farmers in accessing resources and combating climate change effects on agricultural productivity. The Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), initiated in 2014, concentrates on enhancing the cassava and rice value chains among smallholder farmers. Its primary goal is to implement projects that lessen poverty, improve food security, and boost economic progress. Collaborating closely with local governments across nine states—Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, and Taraba—the VCDP actively tackles challenges within these value chains. Its efforts encompass advancing value addition in agro-processing and minimizing losses after harvest. |
| Size: | 16.62 MB; 6480 x 4320 pixels; 549 x 366 mm (print at 300 DPI); 1714 x 1143 mm (screen at 96 DPI); |
| Show more details: | Andrew Esiebo |
| Copyright: | ©IFAD/Andrew Esiebo |
| Categories: | New from West and Central Africa |
| URL: | www.ifad.org |
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