The Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dede Ekoue has said that the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) has benefited at least 74,000 farmers and agro-entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
Ekoue stated this at the Federal Government of Nigeria and IFAD Cooperation Strategy (COSOP 2024-2029)Annual Result Review held in Abuja.
COSOP is the framework of the Cooperation Strategy between IFAD and a country for IFAD financing and facilitating management for results.
The current Nigeria COSOP 2024 -2029 was designed through intensive consultations with stakeholders in each geopolitical zone under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Federal Ministry of Finance and was approved by the IFAD Executive Board in April 2024.
The Nigeria COSOP is aimed at promoting inclusive and resilient growth of the rural economy through market-driven, agri-food system transformation for food and nutrition security for 1.2 million beneficiaries including smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, IDPs and PWDs.
In line with Government priorities under the COSOP, IFAD is funding three sovereign investment programmes in Nigeria.
Ekoue while speaking at the meeting, said “To ensure that we assess together how the programmes have impacted the expected results of the COSOP one thing that is important is that this new COSOP has supported to training on good practice, technology and climate resilience, as well as a full input and other material supports, the COSOP has helped support at least 74,000 farmers and agro-entrepreneur in boosting their production capacity and their productivity through access to training, input and other equipment.
“The COSOP was also instrumental during this year 2024 in reaching out at least 20,000 persons in rural areas to access financial services and 10,000 beneficiaries access financial literacy. The projects have supported at least 24,000 women, youth, and start-up income-generation activities.
“With regard to the matter of land, the projects helped beneficiaries access over 30,000 hectares of land. As you know access to land is critical, especially for youth and women and other vulnerable groups.”
She noted that the new COSOP puts a new emphasis on fragility and addressing the root cause of fragility which are poverty and insecurity, ensuring inclusion of the most vulnerable.
The IFAD Country Director also stated that in line with the National Agricultural and Technology Innovation Policy (NATIP), the new COSOP also aim to strengthen gender equality by moving from gender mainstreaming to gender transformation to effect the deeper change in promoting equality among all women and men and in accessing productive resources and in leadership and managing workloads.
The Director of the Projects Coordinating Unit of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bukar Musa said the COSOP framework has been a cornerstone in driving sustainable agricultural transformation in Nigeria.
He said through this partnership and cooperation, the program has been able to reach underserved rural communities, empower vulnerable populations, and promote resilience in the face of challenges such as climate change, economic fluctuations, and insecurity.
“On boosting agricultural productivity and production, over 50,000 smallholder farmers have accessed improved production technologies and inputs (such as fertilizer and agrochemicals), enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency.
“Over 195 climate-resilient, demand-driven infrastructure projects including boreholes, markets stall, processing centres, aggregation centres, mini-bridges and culverts were completed creating an enabling environment for rural businesses to thrive while improving connectivity and transportation in rural areas.
“Regarding economic empowerment, approximately 15,000 persons were supported in income-generating activities, enabling households to improve their livelihoods and economic security as well as fostering gender inclusion and equipping women and youth with tools for financial independence.
“Through targeted various project activities, the FGN/IFAD cooperation has enhanced rural livelihoods and inclusion with 50% of women and 40% of youth having improved access to opportunities, ensuring that rural women, youth, and marginalised communities are not left behind in the development process,” Musa stated.
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