The Anambra State Coordination Office of the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme has distributed agro-processing equipment and starter packs to youths and women across the state.

Twenty youths trained in welding and fabrication received starter packs worth about ₦180,000 each. In addition, cassava processing equipment valued at ₦100 million and creche materials worth ₦30 million were distributed to beneficiaries.

During the exercise, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, said the distribution supports the Anambra State Government’s focus on agro-processing and value addition. He encouraged the trained youths to use the equipment to produce affordable and durable processing machines that will help reduce post-harvest losses and lower processing costs. He also urged them to charge fair prices and train other interested youths in the skills they acquired.

The State Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD VCDP, Dr. Deborah Onyefulu, explained that the twenty youths were selected from the nine participating local government areas of the state. She said the aim was to reduce the cost of processing for farmers and processors while strengthening food security. She advised beneficiaries to use the equipment and creche materials responsibly for the benefit of their communities.

Two female trainees, Miss Chichetaram Umunna from Ogbunka and Miss Rose Machi from Ayamelum, described the one-month daily training as demanding but rewarding, expressing satisfaction with the support received. Also speaking, Mr. Chibuike Ezeokonkwo, representing Bounty Harvest Cooperative Society, Aguluezechukwu, described the cassava processing equipment received by the group as a major boost to their processing activities and overall empowerment.