Gloria Akobundu, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, has announced that seven states will benefit from the first phase of the smallholder farmers initiative.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement on the Mainstreaming of the African Union Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) in Abuja, Akobundu revealed that the states selected for the initiative are Nassarawa, Cross River, Imo, Abia, Kano, and Kebbi.
The initiative aims to tackle food supply challenges and enhance local agricultural production nationwide.
Akobundu emphasized that the project is part of AUDA-NEPAD’s broader mandate under Agenda 2063, which focuses on supporting member states through resource mobilization and technical assistance.
Addressing the attendees, Akobundu highlighted the urgent need for robust collaboration and resource mobilization to achieve Africa’s agricultural and environmental goals.
She stressed the importance of sustained partnerships in implementing CAADP strategies, particularly in scaling up land restoration and ecosystem management.
The CEO acknowledged the critical support from state coordinators and the African Union Development Agency, noting that effective implementation hinges on strong collaboration between government bodies and local stakeholders.
She called for continued commitment from participants, underlining the necessity of both financial and operational support from state and local governments.
Also speaking, Benjamin Uche, Programme Officer for Climate Resilience and Project Focal Point at AUDA-NEPAD Continental, South Africa, outlined that the project, which began in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, focuses on strengthening smallholder farmers to combat the impacts of climate change, food insecurity, and unemployment.
He mentioned that funding would be distributed among the seven benefiting states to address food supply challenges and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Uche also indicated plans to expand the project to additional states as co-financing becomes available.
“The immediate disbursement of funds will facilitate prompt project implementation aimed at improving food security and supporting smallholder farmers throughout Nigeria,” Uche said.
On her part, Munira Abdullahi, Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Planning in Nasarawa, provided an update on the state’s agricultural progress.
She praised Governor Sule Abdullahi’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, highlighting the cultivation of 10,000 hectares of land, with 5,000 hectares already prepared for harvest.
Abdullahi emphasized key crops in the state, including rice, maize, and sesame, which are aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
In a related development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced ambitious plans to increase cocoa production to 500,000 metric tonnes by 2025, up from the 340,000 tonnes recorded in 2022.
This was disclosed by Ambassador Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investments, during the Pre-National Trade Dialogue Series meeting in Abuja.
The event, themed “The State of Nigeria’s Global Trade Ecosystem: Bridging the Gaps for a Renewed Programme,” highlighted the strategic importance of cocoa to Nigeria’s economic development.
