Government Plegded Partnership With IFAD On Inclusive Agri-Food Transformation
The Nigerian government says it is committed to working closely with the International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD on Inclusive Agri-Food System Transformation and Smallholder farmers’ empowerment and innovative finance for the food system.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Nigeria, Sen. Abubakar Kyari made the commitment when he received the Associate Vice President of IFAD Dr. Donal Brown, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Sen. Kyari said Nigeria is fully committed to the partnership with IFAD for better agricultural growth and livelihood.
“Nigeria is committed to working closely with IFAD on Inclusive Agri-Food System Transformation and Smallholder farmers’ empowerment. Also, our commitment to partnership with IFAD on Innovative Finance for Food System is evident in our participation in the United Nations Food System Stocktaking Moment in July, 2023”
“It is no doubt that the trio of the Inclusive Agri-Food System Transformation, Smallholder farmers’ empowerment and Innovative Financing are levers of change that offers a unique opportunity to accelerate global food systems growth, leveraging on new sustainable models for better agricultural productivity, safer environment, richer nutrition, and better livelihood for rural communities” he said
The Minister said he hopes that the request for Additional Financing for the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), and the implementation of the second phase of the LIFE-ND project will be given the needed attention.
Sen Kyari while appreciating IFAD for being a formidable force in addressing unprecedented challenges facing the global food system, appealed for the release of the $5 million grant for the Value Chain Development Program (VCDP) to improve the project
“It is my strong belief that some of the next steps in the implementation of LIFE-ND which include the approval of one year extension, request for $20m additional Financing (AF) and preparation of LIFE-ND phase 2 will be given accelerated attention. I would also like to appeal for the release of $5m ASAP grant to VCDP for climate change adaptation as well as the approval of her request for two-year extension to enable the program to improve on its disbursement status.”
IFAD
The Associate Vice President of IFAD Dr. Donal Brown said his visit is not only to strengthen existing partnership but to look at the future with the new projects and existing ones in view.
“Not only is my mission to strengthen our relationship this week but secondly is to look at the future direction of support that IFAD can provide the government”
“Part of that is looking at the new projects and part of it is looking at the performance of the existing projects and how we can strengthen the performance of the existing projects as well as design new ones. You raised it, and I think it is a very important time, not least after the President declared the food emergency crisis”
Dr. Brown disclosed that there are new projects that are coming up that the organization will be supporting the government in particularly the Special agricultural processing zone project.
“Obviously, the other flagship project we here support the government is the special agricultural processing zone project with the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank. I’m looking forward to seeing that takeoff.”
He noted that the government’s pledge to clear the arrears of previous pledges is a sign of the strong partnership and the commitment of the government towards a better partnership.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
