NIGERIA – The World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has pledged to boost food production in North Eastern part of Nigeria by providing adequate seeds, fertilizers and other inputs, according to a Leadership article.
FAO, through a ‘twin track’ approach, part of one of the Rome Principles for Sustainable Global Food Security will ensure its food production strategy produce about eight months’ worth of food during the 2018 rainy season, while WFP covers the food needs of households until these crucial harvests in September.
The seed distributions aim to enhance production of maize, sorghum, millet and cowpeas and also sesame, groundnuts, sweet pepper and watermelon seed for income generation.
Jointly, the world organisations will support around 600,000 conflict-affected persons, farmers included in three states in north-eastern Nigeria during the rainy season.
“Families in north-east Nigeria have been affected by conflict for nine years, and many have gone through terrible times.
We need to work harder and together to put people back on the track of self-reliance, to rebuild their livelihoods and to restore their dignity.
This joint assistance by FAO and WFP is a step in that direction,” said WFP representative in Nigeria, Myrta Kaulard.
“FAO is assisting both the growing number of farmers who have returned to their villages to resume production, as well as the many still forced to live in camps.”
FAO is also expanding their farmer field school and savings and loans programmes in the region to strengthen both farming skills and access to finance for agri-business development.
On its part, WFP will provide food and cash assistance to around 1.2 million food insecure and vulnerable people monthly.
The two pledged to work together to provide relief food and financial assistance especially to children, pregnant or breastfeeding women and other vulnerable groups.
