United States Africa Development Foundation has invested over N8.64 billion ($24 million) to boost the capacity of farmers across the country.
Speaking at an Agriculture mini-fair, organised by the foundation in collaboration with Diamond Development Initiative, stakeholders in the sector, including the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Syminton, Executive Director, Diamond Development Initiative, Adamu Garba, President, United States Africa Development Foundation, C. D. Glin, Chairman of the Foundation, Jack Leslie, said Nigeria must improve the agricultural sector to meet food security in the face of a growing population.
Syminton noted that the country must take advantage of youths and women population to grow the agricultural sector. He stressed the need for the sector to not only export raw materials but ensure that the products are processed; adding that by so doing the sector would transform more lives.
Leslie pledged that the foundation would continue to drive the development of the sector in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, through partnership, participation and promotion of private sector-led initiative. He said: “I know we are seen as helping you to do the things that you do in the communities but your success is our success; your success is very important to the U.S.”
Glin said the foundation is committed to the development of the sector in Africa, adding that agriculture is key to economic development of the continent. “Everything we do here is led by Nigerians. We have a commitment to Agriculture. We strongly believe that one of the key drivers of Africa’s success and Nigeria’s success will be in the agricultural sector.”He also noted that the efforts to diversify the nation’s economy would remain elusive if the agriculture sector is not prioritised.
Garba said: “USAID has invested over $24 million so far in the project.”Garba said continuous efforts toward improving agriculture as well as necessary actions and policies would increase productivity and boost food security. According to him, the purpose of the exhibition was to showcase agricultural across Nigeria, which was funded by the U.S. foundation through the local partner, which provides mentorship, management as well as monitoring of the project.
“Most of these people are engaged in production but the assistance we provide does not stop at production alone. We take it a step further, we provide them with machines that they can use to do some processing and as valuable to the products and get more income,” Garba said.
He said the farmer, who are divided into cooperative societies would be able to access more opportunities, particularly more markets for their products through the exhibition. The fair showcased leatherworks from Zaria, Garri from Ikara in Kaduna state; improved local rice from Kebbi State; refined palm oil and fish feed among others.
Source: Guardian Newspaper.
