The Federal Government/International Fund For Agricultural Development (FGN/IFAD), has called on the Anambra government to adopt a regulatory framework for all the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) to ensure project sustainability.
Dr Fatima Aliyu, the National Programme Coordinator of FGN/IFAD VCDP made the call during a-one-day Policy Dialogue on Institutionalising Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Frameworks for Market Infrastructures in Awka on Monday.
Aliyu was represented by Mrs Vera, Onyeaka-Onyilo, the Knowledge Management and Communications Advisor at FGN/IFAD VCDP.
FGN/IFAD which recommended Operations and Maintenance (O&M), Market Infrastructure and Feeder Roads, also called on Local Government Councils to localise the recommendations in their various domains through passage of legislative framework.
She listed the recommended budgetary integration, scheduled preventive maintenance, restructure, training of operations and maintenance teams, public-private co-funding and community early-warning as imperative.
“I implore local government chairmen who are our link to grassroots to support in the passage of Council bye-laws that formalize Facility Management Committees.
“They should also protect market infrastructure from encroachment or neglect, IFAD-VCDP remains dedicated to helping small-holder farmers build prosperous and resilient agribusiness,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr Ben Odoemena, the Commissioner for Agriculture commended FGN/IFAD VCDP for the high impact of its programmes which he described as a gateway to agribusiness.
Odoemena said Anambra Agricultural Strategy Plan would be made public in a few weeks time after extensive discussion with critical stakeholders.
He said Anambra was driving toward agro-industrialisation that would focus on food security with extensive engagement of ensuring availability, affordability and accessibility in the right form to enhance nutrition.
Dr Deborah Onyefulu, the State Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD VCDP in Anambra, said that the engagement was aimed at strengthening ownership, accountability and institutional commitment toward the sustainability of VCDP supported investments and interventions.
Onyefulu expressed gratitude to the Anambra government, development partners and critical stakeholders for their continued support and collaboration.
The State Project Coordinator who spoke on Gender Action Learning System and O&M, called for action and movement from dialogue to action, to ownership and to sustainability.
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Civil Society, Local Government Councils and farmers also made brief presentations at the event.(NAN)
