The Anambra State Coordination Office of the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme distributed start-up packs, cassava processing equipment and crèche materials valued at millions of naira to beneficiaries across the nine participating local government areas of the state.
Dr. Ihejiofor who carried out the distribution encouraged the twenty youths trained in fabrication and welding of agricultural processing equipment to deploy the tools productively by producing affordable, durable machines that would reduce post-harvest losses and lower processing costs.
The Anambra State Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD VCDP, Dr. Deborah Onyefulu, explained that the twenty youths were drawn from the nine participating local government areas to help subsidise processing costs for farmers and agro-processors.
Two female beneficiaries, Miss Umunna Chichetaram from Ogbunka and Miss Rose Machi from Ayamelum, described the one-month daily training as intensive but rewarding and expressed satisfaction with the starter packs provided.
Also speaking, Mr. Chibuike Ezeokonkwo, on behalf of Bounty Harvest Cooperative Society, Aguluezechukwu, said the cassava processing equipment received would significantly empower cooperative members and boost their processing capacity.
