Effect Of Ifad Value Chain Development Programme On Welfare Of Smallholder Rice And Cassava Producers In Anambra State, Nigeria

Anambra State is one of the six (6) States in Nigeria participating in the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) implemented by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN). The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of VCDP on smallholder producers’ welfare (income and other services). The VCDP which is in line with the government's vision for agricultural development, is focusing on supporting cassava and rice smallholder farmers in Anambra State by strengthening farmer organizations through building their capacity to take advantage of existing market opportunities and overcome constraints along the value chain. It was hypothesized that availability of resources and boosting local production of rice and cassava through the VCDP would be very important to improving economic welfare of smallholder farmers.