The Anambra State government, through the federal government-International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP), has distributed agricultural equipment to more than 500 farmers.<div><br></div><div>The state programme coordinator, Deborah Onyefulu, flagged off the initiative in Awka, the state capital, on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Ms Onyefulu said the intervention was designed to promote the participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in agriculture.</div><div><br></div><div>The equipment distributed included 49 tricycles, 84 power tillers, 80 solar-powered water pumps, 200 knapsack sprayers and fertiliser applicators.</div><div><br></div><div>The programme also distributed 29 sets of cassava-processing equipment, 10 sets of rice-processing equipment and cooking demonstration equipment for 50 women.</div><div><br></div><div>Ms Onyefulu said the initiative was to increase rural farmers’ income, create employment opportunities, reduce poverty and boost the state’s internally generated revenue.</div><div><br></div><div>“The equipment support is part of the programme’s initiative to support women, youths and persons with disabilities,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She warned beneficiaries against selling the equipment, adding that a monitoring team has been established to ensure the items are used for their intended purposes.</div><div><br></div><div>Also speaking, Anthony Muobike, the member representing Aguata Constituency II in the Anambra assembly, urged beneficiaries to use the equipment judiciously.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Muobike commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for supporting the programme and promoting sustainable agricultural development in the state.</div><div><br></div><div>The permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinwe Achugbu, commended VCDP for interventions that had improved farmers’ livelihoods.</div><div><br></div><div>Represented by a ministry official, Ify Onyenwe, Ms Achugbu also praised the programme and the state government for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.</div><div><br></div><div>Matthew Okafor, acting state agricultural production officer for value chain, said liaison officers selected beneficiaries across the nine participating local government areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Okafor said beneficiaries had to contribute 30 per cent of the equipment cost, while the government covered the remaining 70 per cent.</div><div><br></div><div>He urged farmers to use the equipment appropriately, stressing that it should go to those who genuinely need it.</div><div><br></div><div>Mary Obiekwe, acting business and market development officer of VCDP in Anambra, said 50 selected farmers would each receive a tricycle to transport farm produce to markets.</div><div><br></div><div>Ms Obiekwe said the intervention would help reduce post-harvest losses caused by poor transportation and limited access to remote farming communities.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Onyebuchi Okoli of the Destiny Farmers’ Cooperative, Isuaniocha, Awka North, said the tricycle would improve the transportation of her farm produce.</div>