Following the conclusion of the first phase of the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) launched in November, 2001, the Federal Government yesterday floated the expanded phase of the programme estimated to cost N48 billion ($364 million). The programme covers a five-year implementation period.
The first phase was implemented officially by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources with technical and management support from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to address various issues of household food security, sustainable agricultural development and improved standard of living in 109 sites corresponding to one site per senatorial district nationwide, from November 2001 to June 2006.
The goal of the five-year expansion phase of NPFS is to consolidate on the gains recorded during the first phase in the areas of national food security and reduction of poverty on an economic and sustainable basis.
The programme, as currently conceived, would also support the establishment of new 218 sites in addition to the current 109 for a total of 327 farmers owning and operating sites for the promotion, processing, storage and marketing of agricultural products at local council levels.
The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Sayyadi Abba Ruma, who unveiled the programme in Abuja, said that the federal, state and local councils were expected to fund 60 per cent of the total amount through provisions in the yearly budget while the remaining 40 per cent would be sourced from external donors.
Ruma said the Bank for Arab Economic Development in Africa (BAEDA), the African Development Bank (ADB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) had already committed $18.0 million, $32.0 million, and $30.0 million respectively to support the NPFS activities in 10 states of the federation.
According to him, the cost sharing formula by the federal, state and local councils and beneficiary communities as approved by the National Council for Agriculture at its March 2007 meeting in Abuja, is in the ratio of 47: 26: 19: 8 respectively.
Noting that the beneficiary community's contribution would be essentially in kind, the minister urged all states and local councils to ensure that the programme is accommodated in their respective yearly budgets.
The minister also disclosed that the NPFS would pay particular attention to the development of the agricultural potential of the Niger Delta states, especially in the areas of "acquaculture, artesanal fisheries, cassava production and agro-processing."
From Funmi Awoyale, Abuja
The Guardian
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
