The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of the German Government, in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP) and Care Nigeria is set to empower a total of 6,389 households in Yobe State.
Abatcha Abubakar, the Area Manager, Care Nigeria, stated this to newsmen at state level stakeholders inception meeting on resilience and social cohesion (peace) held in Damaturu, Yobe State.
According to him, the Resilience and Social Cohesion (Peace) Project is a joint initiative that seeks to restore essential services and rebuild livelihood to drive sustainable transformation in the state.
He said the households would be trained and empowered with agric inputs, crops processing machines and stipends to improve their livelihood.
He added that the program was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of the German Government, in partnership with World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF and Care Nigeria.
He further said the project goals were to increase the productivity and revenue of 6,389 smallholder farmers and households in the agric value chain and improve the economic status of 31,945 individuals.
According to him, the project is targeting 5 wards in Jakusko LGAs to ensure that those households improved their dietary diversification and access to financial services through Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLAs).
“We implement crop production initiatives where project participants are grouped together and provided with inputs to build their resilience and self-sufficiency. Additionally, we have an Income Generating Activity (IGA) aimed at improving household finances. Through IGAs, we form groups and equip them with agro-processing machines, enabling them to generate income beyond farming.
“Furthermore, these groups are organized into Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), a tool we use globally. VSLAs empower women to save and contribute to a collective fund, providing mutual support.
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“The initiative aims to support 6,389 households through agricultural interventions. We’ll provide seeds for crops like maize, groundnuts, and rice, focusing on wet season farming. Additionally, we’ll promote vegetable gardening, encouraging participants to cultivate backyard gardens.
“This effort seeks to improve livelihoods and prevent households from falling into food insecurity. Furthermore, selected households will receive a monthly stipend for six months. We’re also constructing warehouses to support these initiatives.†He said.
In his remark, Owen Maganga, the Head of World Food Programme, Damaturu Sub Office, Yobe State, said the WFP is committed to support the Livelihoods of farmers in the Northeastern region.
