FAO Supports Flood Hit Communities, Distributes 2024/2025 Dry Season Inputs

During the event at Khaddamari in Jere Local Government of Borno State, Mr. Dominique Koffy Kouacou, FAO Representative ad interim in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of this intervention in mitigating the challenges faced by communities affected by climate shocks, conflict, and economic pressures.

In his remarks, Mr. Koffy expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the Borno State Government and international partners in supporting vulnerable populations. He highlighted the devastating impact of climate change, noting that floods in October 2024 affected over 9.2 million people and submerged vast hectares of farmland, leading to significant losses in crop production.

FAO’s intervention, he stated, aims to restore livelihoods by providing critical inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and solar-powered water pumps to support dry-season farming and rebuild resilience among affected households.

Additionally, Mr. Koffy shed light on the targeted support for households with young children, mentioning that 300 households in Khaddamari received SAFE kits, including fuel-efficient stoves and briquettes, alongside Tom Brown, a locally made nutritional supplement to combat malnutrition.

These efforts complement FAO’s broader strategy of enhancing food security and addressing immediate nutritional needs in flood-affected communities.

He concluded by acknowledging the generous contributions from FAO’s donors, including the Government of Norway, the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities (SFERA), and the Government of France.

Mr. Koffy reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to achieving Zero Hunger and thanked all partners for their role in advancing sustainable recovery in Northeast Nigeria.

Representing Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed his delight at the distribution of dry season farming inputs to 49,000 farmers across Northeast Nigeria.

He emphasized the critical role of agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy and highlighted the significance of equipping farmers with the tools necessary to maximize productivity during the dry season.

Hon. Kadafur commended FAO for its unwavering support and partnership in fostering agricultural development in the region. He stressed the importance of distributing high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to improve crop yields and protect against pests and diseases. He also underscored the state government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for farmers, including expanding access to credit, enhancing irrigation systems, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Hon. Kadafur praised their resilience in the face of adversity and encouraged them to make the best use of the resources provided.

He urged the 24,500 households benefiting across 66 wards in 12 local government areas to utilize these inputs wisely to ensure that the program’s impact is long-lasting and transformative for their communities.

In conclusion, Hon. Kadafur reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to supporting farmers and building a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.

He expressed optimism that this initiative would yield abundant harvests and contribute to a brighter future for the people of Borno State. The deputy governor formally launched the 2024/2025 dry season input distribution, extending gratitude to all stakeholders involved in making the event a success.