Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mali and Niger Republic: Garnered to Commit €100 Million in Enhancing Agricultural Resilience amongst Small-Scale Food Producers in the Sahel Region

By Abdul Rahman Bangura-

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone– This remarkable gesture was discussed during the pre-launch of the ‘Soil Values’ initiative by the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) in Abuja, that concentrates on combatting desertification, land degradation, and improving landscape and watershed management through participatory planning integrating soil, water, and biodiversity.

According to Bidjokazo Fofana – Programme Director at IFDC, the funding will drive lasting impacts in addressing food insecurity and sustainability challenges in the Sahel.

Fofana shed light on the breakdown of investments, with Nigeria leading by investing €40 million, while Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic each contribute €20 million.

Explaining Nigeria’s selection for the program’s regional launch, Fofana stated confidence in Nigeria’s productivity and its potential to critically impact the Soil Values initiative compared to other participating nations.

The project aims to provide training to farmers, particularly focusing on small-scale farmers, women, and youth, to enhance agricultural practices and increase productivity.

Prem Bindraban, Senior Technical Adviser at IFDC, emphasized the project’s role in supporting institutional investments and facilitating the effective implementation of broader agricultural programs.

Yusuf Ramani, Country Director of IFDC, emphasized the project’s focus on Nigeria’s northern regions, addressing gaps in the agricultural sector to align with the government’s agenda of improving food security nationwide.

New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports, Africa Correspondent