The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that more than five million smallholder farmers have been positively impacted by the agricultural programs supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in the country.
These programs, which received funding from the Federal Government and IFAD, encompass the Value Chain Development Programme, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta, Climate Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Programme, and Rural Finance Institution-Building Programme.
Speaking at the National Launch of the Value Chain North Project Design Mission in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, expressed satisfaction with the programs’ achievements despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, drought, and flood.
Represented by Musa Bukar, Director of the Programme Coordinating Unit in the ministry, Mr. Kyari highlighted the significance of the Value Chain North (VCN) project, stating that it will contribute to sustainable poverty reduction, enhance nutrition, and build a resilient rural economy in select northern states.
He emphasized that the VCN, co-financed by IFAD, the French Development Agency (AFD), and other development partners, aims to increase food production, promote climate resilience, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve food security and nutrition in states facing fragile situations.
Mr. Kyari also noted that the VCN project aligns with the country’s food systems transformation agenda, the Presidential declaration of emergency in Nigeria’s food sector, as well as with various national and international development frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, he underscored its alignment with the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy, Agricultural Sector Food Security and Nutrition Strategy, National Development Plan, and National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy.
Highlighting the importance of the VCN project, he articulated its coherence with IFAD’s policies and corporate priorities, specifically in the areas of the Strategic Framework, Strategy and Action Plan on Environment and Climate Change, and Nutrition Action Plan.
Additionally, the minister urged the design team to prioritize the needs of smallholder farmers, women, youth, vulnerable groups, the private sector, off-takers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and service providers.
Addressing the gathering, Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Director, disclosed that the VCN project aims to engage 456,000 beneficiaries, equivalent to 91,000 households in the northern states. The project seeks to enhance food production, climate adaptive capacity, resilience, and sustainable agribusiness development.
Emphasizing the project’s relevance to national priorities, he affirmed its alignment with the president’s agenda for agribusiness transformation and the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy.
Eager to harness the potential of the agri-food system for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, increased job creation, and income generation, Ekoue emphasized the project’s focus on youth and women agric-entrepreneurship, partnership with the private sector, and modernizing agriculture through digital solutions.
Furthermore, Sally Ibrahim, the Project Manager from the AFD, identified nutrition as a major component of the program, stressing the importance of effective coordination among stakeholders to achieve its objectives.
Meanwhile, Samuel Eremie, the Lead Consultant of the project, revealed that the VCN project is set to span eight years and will commence in Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, and Kano States. The National Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also contributed to this report.
