By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The Country Director, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mrs. Dede Ekoue, said IFAD has lent support to 70,000 farmers in Benue to boost agricultural productivity in order to tackle food security.
Ekoue disclosed this on Monday when she led IFAD delegation on a courtesy visit to Gov. Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.
The country director said that the intervention had yielded positive results, stressing that the cultivation as well as the production of both cassava and rice had been doubled in the state.
She also disclosed that IFAD had position Benue on the agricultural map of the world, explaining that the state was recognized as a champion in agriculture in the 2023 United Nations Food Summit that was held in Rome.
Alia appreciated IFAD for making remarkable impact in the state by empowering the youth and women through agriculture.
The governor assured that Benue would continue to partner with development partners, stressing that the state government would always ensure prompt payment of counterpart funding.
He further pledged to create enabling environment for development partners to strive in the state.
