Smallholder farmers to benefit as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, others make huge investment
100 million euros has been collectively invested by Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Mali, to boost the agricultural resilience of smallholder farmers in the Sahel region. The initiative is aimed to strengthen agricultural resilience to climate change with a focus on regional connectivity and strategic interventions. Bidjokazo Fofana, the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC)’s […]
an irrigated farm in gombe
100 million euros has been collectively invested by Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Mali, to boost the agricultural resilience of smallholder farmers in the Sahel region.
The initiative is aimed to strengthen agricultural resilience to climate change with a focus on regional connectivity and strategic interventions.
Bidjokazo Fofana, the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC)’s Programme Director, announced this Monday in Abuja during the pre-launch of its new programme ‘Soil Values’.
Daily Trust reports that Soil Values, a 10-year program (2024-2034), financed by the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), is implemented by IFDC in collaboration with core partners SNV and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and various knowledge partners.
Fofana said: “The programme will convene various donor communities to explore avenues for additional funding, benefiting not only Sahelian countries but also the broader regional and international community.
“Overall 100 million euros was budgeted. The budget is divided between the four countries. 40 million euros for Nigeria, 20 million euros for Burkina Faso, 20 million euros for Niger and 20 million euros for Mali.”
On the choice of Nigeria for the regional launch, Fofana cited Nigeria’s productivity and potential to drive significant impact within the Soil Values program.
“We expect a lot from Nigeria. Nigeria is a very productive country and a game-changer within the soil value program compared to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic,” he said.
Yusuf Dramani, Country Director for IFDC Nigeria, while noting that the project would focus on Nigeria’s northern regions, stressed the importance of addressing gaps in the agricultural sector to align with the government’s agenda of improving food security nationwide.
“The Northern parts of the country are targeted for this initiative. The gaps in the agricultural sector should be addressed to ensure that whatever is implemented is in line with the government’s agenda in improving food insecurity in the country,” he said.