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The Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development Nigeria, Ms Gloria Akobundu, on Friday, announced that the first phase of the smallholder farmers initiative will benefit seven states, including Nasarawa, Cross River, Imo, Abia, Kano, and Kebbi.
The objective of this initiative is to address food supply challenges and strengthen local agricultural production in the country.
She made this announcement during a stakeholders’ engagement on the mainstreaming of the African Union Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme in Abuja, which was monitored in Kano.
According to her, the states include Nasarawa, Cross River, Imo, Abia, Kano, and Kebbi.
Akobundu stated that the objective of the initiative is to address food supply challenges and bolster local agricultural production in the country.
She highlighted that the initiative is part of AUDA-NEPAD’s broader mandate under Agenda 2063 to support member states through resource mobilisation and technical assistance.
She stressed the urgent need for robust collaboration and resource mobilisation to advance Africa’s agricultural and environmental goals.
Akobundu underscored the importance of sustained partnerships in implementing CAADP’s strategies, particularly in scaling up land restoration and ecosystem management
While recognising the vital support from state coordinators and the African Union Development Agency, she stressed that effective implementation depends on strong collaboration between government bodies and local stakeholders.
To this end, she urged participants to sustain their commitment to the initiative, highlighting the necessity of financial and operational support from state and local governments.
Similarly, Akobundu called for the sharing of experiences and ideas to propel the project forward, stressing that only through collective action can Africa meet its agricultural and ecological objectives.
The Programme Officer for Climate Resilience and Project Focal Point at AUDA-NEPAD Continental, South Africa, Mr Benjamin Uche, stated that the project, which began in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, focuses on strengthening smallholder farmers to combat the effects of climate change, food insecurity, and unemployment.
According to him, the funding will be distributed across the seven benefitting states in the country to address food supply challenges and boost the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Although the initial targets of the project are seven states, Uche disclosed that there were plans to expand it to accommodate additional states as co-financing becomes available.
“Today marks the official kick-off of funds for the implementation of innovative strengthening for smallholder farmers and productive land degradation. This project is meant to strengthen the capability of smallholder farmers in the country to address the impact of climate change, as a result of degradation and other vices. The immediate disbursement of funds will enable prompt project implementation, aimed at improving food security and supporting smallholder farmers throughout Nigeria,” he said.
The Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Planning in Nasarawa State, Munira Abdullahi, highlighted the progress in the state’s agriculture sector, emphasising initiatives that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She commended the commitment of Governor Sule Abdullahi to sustainable agricultural practices, noting the cultivation of 10,000 hectares, with 5,000 already prepared for harvest.
Key crops in the state, according to her, include rice, maize, and sesame, aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
She said, “The state is dedicated to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, fostering community growth through innovative practices and partnerships. I wish to applaud AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria for sustaining such a brilliant vision for our people. We must all remember that we are not only creating communities that are surviving, but our goal should be to create communities that are thriving.
“And these communities need to have sustainability and impactful agricultural practices. This is why we, as a state, Nasarawa, have continued to make giant strides in the agricultural sector.
“And we have just recently launched an initiative, just in May this year, to cultivate about 10,000 hectares of land in Nasarawa.
“And it will impress you to know that 5,000 hectares have been cultivated, as I’m speaking to you, and we’re getting ready for harvest within a month,” Abdullahi asserted.
During the workshop, themed, 'Accelerating the Implementation of CAADP and Scaling Up Land Restoration and Ecosystem', the engagement also highlighted the crucial role of each stakeholder in mobilising resources and fostering resilient partnerships to drive sustainable development across the country.
