Egbanti: The Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has initiated a comprehensive training program for rice farmers in Egbanti, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger, focusing on modern agronomic techniques to boost rice yield in the 2026 wet season.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, VCDP, an initiative supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), organized the training as part of its 2026 wet-season rice production programme. The training encompassed various aspects such as improved seedlings, nursery establishment, transplanting, mechanized farming, proper application of farm inputs, record keeping, and value addition.
During the training session, Hajiya Hadiza Isah, the State Programme Coordinator of VCDP, highlighted the objective of the training, which is to enhance the productivity of farmers and ensure they achieve better returns. Isah noted that although farmers have been cultivating rice, they have not been receiving the expected yields by the season’s end. The init
iative aims to address this issue by introducing modern technologies and innovations.
Isah emphasized the necessity of this intervention, as many farmers still rely on traditional methods. She explained that adopting improved practices would enable farmers to achieve better yields. The VCDP has been actively involved in training farmers on improved crop production techniques, including quality seedling selection, transplanting, and crop management from planting to harvesting.
Prof. Abigail Jirgi, Team Lead of Consultants for the VCDP 2026 wet-season farming programme from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, shared insights about the training conducted across four local government areas. Farmers were educated on identifying quality seedlings, land preparation, and establishing nursery beds. The training also covered mechanized land clearing and appropriate planting and transplanting spacing to ensure optimum crop performance.
Prof. Emma Daniel, another consultant from the university, elaborated on
the shift from traditional farming methods to mechanized agriculture. He explained the benefits of using power tillers and proper transplanting techniques, emphasizing the use of improved rice seedlings and correct application of chemicals and fertilizers.
Similarly, Prof. Abdulaziz Abdullahi trained farmers on value addition and record keeping. He highlighted the importance of accurate records in determining the profitability of farming activities and urged farmers to adopt value-addition practices to improve their returns.
A beneficiary of the program, Mr. Yahya Umar, expressed gratitude for the training, which covered all aspects of rice production from land selection to harvesting. Umar noted that the VCDP intervention had provided farmers with essential farm equipment and access to financial resources, significantly enhancing their productivity and profitability.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria