FGN/IFAD- VCDP Beneficiaries Seek Programme Sustainability To Boost Financial Independence In Taraba

By Terna Chikpa

Beneficiaries of the Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)’s Assisted Value Chain Development Programme VCDP (Additional Financing) have appealed for it sustainability to boost financial independence in Taraba state.

Chairperson of the VCDP Disability Network, Hadiza Idris, Chairman of the VCDP Youth Network, Prince Lawson Yusuf and Chairperson of the VCDP Women Network, Esther Kenith, disclosed during a training programme on Friday, organised for youth, women and persons with disabilities network groups that, IFAD VCDP has provided more than agricultural support, serving as a lifeline through which many have acquired productive skills, improved their livelihoods and expanded their economic opportunities.

Our correspondent reports reports that the training organised by IFAD-VCDP, (Additional Financing), in collaboration with the Taraba state government, was aimed at strengthening beneficiaries engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs, as well as Civil Society Organisations,CSOs, to achieve the desire sustainability of the programme.

The beneficiary group leaders also expressed that the conflict management training provided by the programme has helped brought together, people of different ethnic backgrounds, and has build a stronger relationships among communities across Taraba state. This is just as they highlighted the benefits of cooperative societies, which according to them has enabled them to diversify their sources of income, improve their financial standing and acquire technical skills for different forms of production.

“IFAD VCDP has provided more than agricultural support” The beneficiaries testified.

“The VCDP programme is a lifeline that many people have acquired productive skills, improved their livelihoods and expanded their economic opportunities. We want government to sustain the programme due to it’s unprecedented benefits.

“The conflict management training provided by the programme had helped bring people from different ethnic backgrounds together, fostering unity, peaceful coexistence and stronger relationships among communities across the state.

“Through VCDP programme, we are enjoying the benefits of cooperative societies; It has enabled us to diversify our sources of income, improve our financial standing and acquire technical skills for different forms of production. These interventions have strengthened our economic independence and have created opportunities for employment and self-reliance within our communities”. The beneficiaries recounted.

They commended the Federal and Taraba State Governments, as well as IFAD for supporting beneficiaries to become economically independent.

They also called for a sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations and the network groups to ensure that the achievements of the programme endure beyond its lifespan.

Meanwhile, the state programme Coordinator SPC, Irimiya Musa, represented by the Director of Administration, Bulus Maiyaki, said the programme’s impacts were evidence among beneficiaries.

He noted that the experiences and achievements shared at the training reflected the programme’s contribution to improving livelihoods and strengthening rural institutions.

Also, speaking at the meeting, the Rural Institution, Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Officer for IFAD VCDP in Taraba State, Altine Nuhu James, highlighted the programme’s achievements and the importance of sustaining its impact through continued engagement and institutional support.

She acknowledged government contributions at all levels toward implementation of the programme across its eight benefiting local government areas in Taraba State.

James assured that the network groups would continue to build on the knowledge, skills and opportunities provided by the programme to achieve lasting benefits for members.