PYXERA to Develop Nigeria’s Food System through USAID Grants

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says that it has awarded a $500,000 (N205 million) co-investment grant through its West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (Trade Hub) to PYXERA Global to develop Nigeria’s agricultural system.

The development was revealed in a statement by the Trade Hub’s Chief of Party, Michael Clements.

“The USAID-funded West Africa Trade & Investment Hub has awarded a $500,000 co-investment grant to PYXERA Global, a not-for-profit with extensive experience designing training and capacity-building programs, to support the launch of its West Africa Agriculture Resilience Program (WAFARP),” the statement read in part.

Clements revealed that the programme will assist 10,000 farmers cultivating rice, maize and soybean within Kebbi, Cross River and Benue.

PXYERA Global will assist smallholder farmers who have faced numerous challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic which includes income loss, disrupted market channels and supply chains, amongst others.

As a result, Clements said the initiative would be leveraging on the existing agribusiness systems of Dantata Foods and Allied Products Company Limited (Dantata Foods), while PYXERA Global will provide an avenue for smallholders in its programme to boost crop yields and income.

“Nigeria’s agricultural sector has been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, negatively impacting smallholder farmers and the communities of people who depend on their success in growing crops.

“We are excited about the potential of PYXERA Global’s West Africa Agriculture Resilience Program to bolster agricultural systems and expect to co-invest in other such programs as part of our COVID-19 rapid response initiative,” he added.