By Our Reporter
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has revealed that the Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF) contributed over N16 billion to Benue State’s economy between 2016 and 2024.
National Programme Coordinator of IFAD-Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), Dr. Fatima Aliyu, disclosed this during a policy dialogue meeting on VCDP interventions in Benue, held in Makurdi.
Represented by Mrs. Vera Onyeaka-Onyilo, Aliyu noted that CAF facilitated the production of 99,452 metric tonnes of rice valued at N13.527 billion and 87,237 metric tonnes of cassava worth N3.925 billion, strengthening both Benue and Nigeria’s food security.
She, however, warned that CAF lacks a formal legal and policy framework, which threatens its sustainability beyond donor-funded programmes.
Aliyu appealed to stakeholders to integrate CAF into the state’s agricultural policy and provide it with legal recognition through legislation.
State Programme Coordinator, Dr. Emmanuel Igbaukum, said stakeholders have agreed to institutionalise CAF, the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) and nutrition initiatives into Benue’s agricultural policy.
He noted that relevant ministries, departments, agencies, farmers and the private sector have pledged to follow up until the policy backing is achieved.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Pharm. Elijah, assured that the state government would continue timely release of counterpart funding and maintain farm input subsidies to sustain the programme’s gains.
