News Rendezvous

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in partnership has launched its 2024 rainy season agricultural input intervention to farmers in the northeast states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe in northeast Nigeria.

The intervention according to FAO, is aimed at curbing food crisis that could endanger the lives of over 4.8 million residents of the northeast, Nigeria.

This was made known by FAO Northeast Head of Office, Luc Leger Manga, during the launch of the distribution of farm inputs at Girei, Adamawa state.

Manga explained that in Adamawa state alone, FAO targets victims of insurgency and that it would reach about 37,450 individuals across 17 wards in Guyuk, Madagali, Michika, and Girei LGAs with essential inputs such as cereal seeds, legume seeds, vegetable seeds, and wet blended NPK fertilizers and that within the northeast region, it aims at reaching about 187,250 individuals across the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states.

Luc Manga said, “The inputs’ distribution constitutes FAO’s traditional support to the population victim of insurgency, since 2016. Providing such inputs, The FAO is symbolising hope creation, resilience building, and our collective commitment towards Adamawa state government to restoring and strengthening food security.

“This support comes in the context of escalation of food insecurity in the country. Allow me to recall, that two months ago, the Federal minister of Agriculture while chairing the CH results presentation in Abuja emphasized that due to the prolonged conflict and insecurity, the northeast region registered approximately 4.8 million people at risk of food insecurity by the middle of this year.

“Our efforts today, and in the coming months, aim to provide critical support that will enable these communities to rebuild their livelihoods, improve food production, and foster economic resilience.”

He further explained that,the intervention, generously supported by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swiss Development and Cooperation, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is designed to empower about 26,750 households, benefiting 187,250 individuals across the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states with the necessary farm imputs to build their economic resilience, improve agricultural output and rebuild their livelihood.

“In Adamawa State alone, 5,350 households (37,450 individuals approximately) across 17 wards in Guyuk, Madagali, Michika, and Girei LGAs will receive essential inputs such as cereal seeds, legume seeds, vegetable seeds, and wet blended NPK fertilizers.

These will aid households produce food for more than 6 months and mitigating the escalating food insecurity while at the same time building the resilience of the returnees in the ancestral communities.

“Aware of the scarcity of certified seeds, FAO in addition to inputs support, is promoting the 150 community seeds producers with foundation seeds, NPK fertilizer and trainings in 6 communities of Mubi North, Girei and Michika Local Government Areas during this rainy season.

“The success of this initiative can only be possible with the strong partnership of governments at all levels,” Manga said.

He commended the Adamawa state government and implementing partners while calling on the farmers to work with the FAO to ensure a successful harvest.

Speaking at the occasion, the Adamawa state governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his Commissioner for Agriculture, David Finchiwa, the launching was not just a symbolic occasion but a strategic investment in the future generations by the Adamawa state government.

Fintiri said, the partnership between FAO and the Adamawa state government is a shining example of what could be possible when government and international organisations and government collaborate.

Governor Fintiri said, “As we launch these agricultural inputs for the 2024 rainy season farming, we are not just distributing seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural resources.

“We are investing in the future of our people, in the prosperity of our state, and in the growth of our economy.
Agriculture is not just a sector: it is a way of life. It is a way to provide

“We are resilient people who have always found ways to overcome adversity. And today, we are taking another step forward.

“The partnership between Adamawa State Government and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is a shining example of what can be achieved when governments and international organizations work together towards a common goal.

“The FAO’s support has been instrumental in helping us build resilience in our agricultural sector and ensure food security for our people.
Today, we are launching these agricultural inputs not just as a gesture of goodwill but as an investment in the future.

“We are also providing training and capacity building for our farmers. We are working with local agricultural experts to develop sustainable agricultural practices that will ensure long-term food security for our people.
as we distribute these inputs today, I want to urge all stakeholders to work together to ensure their successful implementation.

“I am confident that with this partnership, with this initiative, we will see a significant improvement in agricultural productivity, increased food availability, and improved livelihoods for our people.
In conclusion, I want to say that today’s event is not just about launching agricultural inputs; it is about building hope, it is about building resilience, and it is about building a brighter future for ourselves and for generations yet unborn.”

The program culminated in the presentation of the farm inputs to beneficiaries drawn from the benefitting communities.