The Federal government has reiterated its commitment to invest more in agricultural input in bids to arrest food insecurity, maintaining that handouts dependency is not sustainable.
As the Federal Government, the World Food Program (WFP) in collaboration with the Borno state government is engaging all year round farming to make the Displaced Persons (IDPs) and returnees improve their economy and livelihood in the state.
Speaking with journalists shortly after flagging off in Konduga town, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, poverty Reduction, said the beneficiaries were supported with Solar motorized power water pumps and seedling of rice, tomatoes,onions and vegetables as well as cash incentives for each farmers .
The initiative targeted 998 heaters of land were cultivated were 6,098 IDPs, returnees and host communy were benefited in Ngala and Konduga local government areas of Borno state.
He said “Given food handouts is no longer sustainable that is why the Federal Government is partnering with the World Food Program and the Borno state government to support the IDPs not only produce food of their own but also have something to buy thing for themselves.
“This kind of partnership is the partnership we need. We are going to expand our investments. I am happy to see how the People of Konduga and Ngala local government area have embraced the renewed initiatives of the Federal Government. They now not only have food on their table but also have more to sell.
The minister added, “I am also happy to see that local food supplements were being produced and distributed mothers and caregivers to give to their children in our efforts in addressing malnutrition. Before now, billions of Naira were been spent on the importation of these food supplements but today I am happy we’re producing it locally here in Konduga”.
He assured that the Federal Government is doing everything to ensure insecurity is tamed and peace restored to the Northeast region and the country as a whole.
He commended the World Food Program for the partnership and assured them of the continued partnership.
Earlier, Bawu Bamusami, the Borno state commissioner for Agriculture, said the resilience and sustainable food program which is a collaboration between the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Borno state government and World Food Program have made the IDPs not to depend on the food handouts but sustainable food sufficiency.
He said the initiative is a partnership, where the Borno state government and WFP, where land was cultivated, the seeds, water pumps and cash support were provided.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mal Ya’u Mandarari thanked the Federal and Borno Governments and the WFP for their support, stressing that the program has not only made them self-reliant but has more to sell.
