Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic have jointly invested €100 million to enhance the agricultural resilience of small-scale food producers in the Sahel region.
This initiative aims to combat desertification, land degradation, and improve landscape and watershed management through participatory planning that integrates soil, water, and biodiversity.
Bidjokazo Fofana, the Programme Director of the International Fertilizer Development Centre, announced this during the pre-launch of its new initiative ‘Soil Values’ in Abuja.
He highlighted the urgent need for such programs, citing a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report from 2023 that warned of a potential food crisis affecting 26.5 million Nigerians between June and August 2024, with states like Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory being at higher risk due to persistent insecurity and economic challenges.
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Fofana further explained the allocation of the €100 million budget, with Nigeria contributing €40 million, while Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic each invested €20 million.
He expressed high expectations for Nigeria’s role in the ‘Soil Values’ program, noting the country’s productivity and potential to drive significant impact.
Prem Bindraban, the Senior Technical Adviser at IFDC, highlighted plans to provide training to farmers to improve their agricultural practices and support institutional investments.
He emphasized the project’s role in facilitating the effective implementation of larger programs, including those financed by the World Bank, benefiting small-scale farmers, women, and youths.
Yusuf Ramani, the Country Director of IFDC, emphasized the project’s focus on Nigeria’s northern regions, stressing the importance of addressing agricultural sector gaps to align with the government’s agenda of improving food security nationwide.
He stated, “The Northern parts of the country are targeted for this initiative, and addressing the gaps in the agricultural sector is crucial to ensure alignment with the government’s food security goals.”
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