The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of processing and post-harvest equipment to farmers and agribusiness groups under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Nasarawa State, in a move aimed at strengthening agribusiness and improving national food security.
The flag-off ceremony took place in Lafia during a two-day working visit to the state by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who led the exercise. The initiative targets beneficiaries across key agricultural value chains supported by the VCDP.
Speaking at the event, Kyari said the intervention was part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to shift agriculture from subsistence to value-driven production. He explained that providing farmers with modern processing and post-harvest equipment would help reduce losses, improve product quality, and increase farmers’ incomes.
According to the minister, the programme is also designed to empower women and youth involved in agriculture, promote competitiveness among agribusinesses, and enhance overall productivity within the sector. He noted that post-harvest losses remain a major challenge to food security and agribusiness development, stressing that addressing the gap is critical to achieving sustainable growth.
The distribution in Nasarawa State, Kyari added, reflects the government’s commitment to supporting farmers with practical tools that enhance efficiency, create jobs, and strengthen local economies, while contributing to improved food availability across the country.
