The Chief Executive Officer of African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, Gloria Akobundu, says seven states are to benefit from the first phase of smallholder farmers’ initiative.
The states, according to her, are Nasarawa, Cross River, Imo, Abia, Kano, and Kebbi.
She said this during a stakeholders’ engagement on Mainstreaming of African Union Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) in Abuja.
Akobundu said the initiative, aims to address food supply challenges and bolster local agricultural production in the country.
She highlighted the initiative was part of AUDA-NEPAD’s broader mandate under Agenda 2063 to support member states through resource mobilisation and technical assistance.
She emphasised the urgent need for robust collaboration and resource mobilisation to advance Africa’s agricultural and environmental goals.
Akobundu underscored the importance of sustained partnerships in implementing CAADP’s strategies, particularly in scaling up land restoration and ecosystem management.
only through collective action can Africa meet its agricultural and ecological objectives.
The Programme Officer for Climate Resilience and Project Focal Point at AUDA-NEPAD Continental, South Africa, Mr. Benjamin Uche said that the project, which began in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, focuses on strengthening smallholder farmers to combat the effects of climate change, food insecurity, and unemployment.
According to him, the funding will be distributed across the seven benefitting states in the country to address food supply challenges and boost the livelihood of smallholder farmers.
Uche said while the project initially targets seven states, there are plans to expand to additional states as co-financing becomes available.
“Today earmarked the official kickoff of funds for the implementation of innovative strengthening for smallholder farmers and productive land degradation.
“This project is meant to strengthen the capability of smallholder farmers in the country to address the impact of climate change as a result of degradation and other vices.
“The immediate disbursement of funds will enable prompt project implementation which aims to improve food security and support smallholder farmers throughout Nigeria, ” he said.
