The Nasarawa House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to enact a law that will sustain the gains of the federal government/International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme for smallholder farmers in the state.

Peter Akwe, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, gave the assurance on Thursday during a field visit by a VCDP team to the Barkin Abdullahi community in Lafia North administrative area.

The team was led by Umar Tanko-Tunga, the commissioner for agriculture and chairman of the VCDP Steering Committee.

Mr Akwe said the proposed legislation would institutionalise the programme’s interventions and ensure continuity and sustainability beyond its lifespan.

He commended the VCDP for its impact on rice and cassava value chains in the state, adding that the legislature would provide the necessary legal backing to protect the investments.

Residents of Barkin Abdullahi trooped out in large numbers to welcome the team, which inspected ongoing projects, including a bridge at the Takpa Road Rice Aggregation Centre, a cassava processing centre, and a solar-powered borehole in the community.

Speaking at the various project sites, Tanko-Tunga said the visit was to assess the level of work done, expressing confidence that the projects, when completed, would significantly improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the area.

He assured that Governor Abdullahi Sule would continue to prioritise agriculture as a key driver of economic development, and urged residents to take ownership of the projects and protect them against vandalism.

Also speaking, a member of the House representing the Toto-Gadabuke constituency, Garba Isimbabi, echoed the legislature’s commitment to enacting a law that would guarantee the sustainability of the programme.

The commissioner for women affairs and humanitarian services, Hauwa Jugbo, the administrator of Lafia North administrative area council, and the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Isaac Kigbu, said the interventions would reduce poverty and increase farmers’ incomes.

They urged beneficiaries to support government policies and programmes aimed at boosting agricultural productivity.

Eunice Adgidzi, the coordinator of VCDP, said the visit was in line with the programme’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of smallholder rice and cassava farmers sustainably.

Ms Adgidzi said the projects aligned with the vision of both the Nasarawa and federal governments to enhance food security and reduce hunger and poverty.

(NAN)