Nigeria has launched the five-year, second phase of the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS), which is estimated to gulp US$364 million.
The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Sayyadi Abba Ruma, launched the programme on behalf of President Umaru Yar'Adua in the capital city of Abuja on September 10. Ruma said federal, state and local governments were expected to fund 60% of the total project, while the remaining 40% would be sourced from external donors.
Already, the Bank for Arab Economic Development in Africa (BAEDA), the African Development Bank (ADB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) have committed US$18.0 million, US$32.0 million and US$30.0 million respectively towards NPFS activities in 10 states of the federation.
The first phase, launched in November 2001, was implemented officially by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, with technical and management support from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
The new phase is aimed at national food security and reduction of poverty on an economically and sustainable basis.
The programme will support the establishment of 218 sites, in addition to the current 109, for a total of 327 farmer-owned and operated sites for the promotion, processing, storage and marketing of agricultural products at local government levels.
The programme will pay particular attention to the development of agricultural potentials of the oil-producing Niger Delta States, especially in the areas of aquaculture, artisanal fisheries, cassava production and agro-processing.
