FGN/IFAD VCDP hosts SAPZ on learning visit on Commodity Alliance Forum Model

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A learning visit to the Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) offered staff and stakeholders of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme a first-hand look and understanding of the VCDP’s Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF) with a bid to replicating the CAF model to improve farmers access to market.

The National Programme Coordinator of FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, represented by the Market Development Officer, Mr. Sunday Agama assured that the purpose of the visit to VCDP Benue state to understudy the CAF would be achieved because the VCDP will avail the SAPZ team all the information that was needed to help the team achieve the purpose of their visit.

Dr Aliyu said the CAF initiative was designed to create stronger links between farmers, processors, financial institutions, and government agencies, ultimately creating access to market for farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural food systems transformation.

“VCDP is happy to share our knowledge and experience on the CAF model which has been successful and received national and global recognition with the SAPZ team. I believe at the end, the SAPZ will successfully replicate the model. SAPZ Kano will turn out to be one of the best and also expand to other areas and places for the good of the farmers.” She stated.

The Team Lead, IFAD Country Programme Advisory Team, CAPT, Dr Ameh Onoja expressed joy that Benue had demonstrated “one of the best agro-business practices based on the IFAD key model where you have a robust relationship within the key actors in the value chain, the producers, the private and public sectors.

“It is a multi-stakeholder’s engagement and at the end you will pick the bits and pieces of what you need to do, to ensure the successful implementation of SAPZ.”

The delegation also visited the Benue State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, where the team lead and Rural Institutions Development Specialist at SAPZ, Abel Ameh who represented the SAPZ National Programme Coordinator, Dr Kabir Yusuf disclosed that the team was in the state to understudy the CAF model being implemented by VCDP.

He said “CAF has been a success story in Benue. It is a model that has built successful farmers and we want it replicated in Kano and other SAPZ States.”

Responding, Prof. Ogbaji who lauded the success story of VCDP in the state assured that Benue state would collaborate with Kano state to support their shared vision of ensuring massive food production in the country.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the VCDP Benue State Program Coordinator, Dr. Emmanuel Igbaukum explained that the study visit would entail the sharing of ideas and field visits which would enrich the knowledge of the visiting team.

In his presentation titled “The Benue Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF) Model Achievements,” Dr. Igbaukum highlighted the initiative’s focus on improving access to critical agricultural enablers such as credit facilities, markets, quality inputs, and infrastructure.

High points of the learning visit included field visits to cassava and rice value chain projects supported by VCDP with the participants gaining hands-on insights into best practices on the CAF.

The learning event also included presentations and sessions on the practical implementation and supervision of agricultural projects, that equipped participants with the knowledge necessary to return to their respective communities and replicate the CAF model and lessons learned.