The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) has concluded its stakeholder’s consultation on the second National Nigeria-IFAD Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP 2024-2029).

IFAD will complete the COSOP 2016 -2023 by December, where it has supported the formulation of policies driving the country’s agricultural sector, such as Nigeria Food System Transformation Pathways, National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy and National Extension Policy. 

The 2016-2023 COSOP Programmes also supported 5.1 million beneficiaries which is made up of 55 per cent women; 59 per cent youth across the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

COSOP is a framework for making strategic choices about IFAD operations in a country, identifying opportunities for IFAD financing and facilitating management for results. The current Nigeria COSOP 2016 -2023 will end in December 2023. 

The New COSOP is proposed to run from 2024-2029 and is expected to be presented to the December 2023 IFAD Executive Board for approval. 

The Country Director of IFAD Mrs Dede Ekoue while speaking at the IFAD COSOP 2024-2029 Stakeholders Workshop, said IFAD and the Federal Government of Nigeria are in corporation to strengthen the smallholder farmers to produce food in a sustainable manner.

She said through this partnership, many rice and cassava producers have improved their yield, and they are able to produce more with lesser inputs. According to her, it translates to more food, less cost, income for farmers and job opportunities for the youth.

All these elements put together are conducive for the economic growth of the country, and this is what we want to bring to scale in the new corporation strategy that we are developing under the leadership of the government, and in close coordination with the smallholder farmers.

“We had consultations in seven states, during this consultation, farmers, private sectors, government agencies and development partners talked to us on what are the priorities that should be taken into account in the Corporation programme, and also specific recommendations for IFAD Nigeria.

“We are here for the wrap of the consultation, this is an opportunity for us to discuss how to prioritize, there are many recommendations that we will be picking together the areas we know that IFAD and its partners have comparative advantage and strength”, she added.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe said the Ministry participated actively and concerns were raised for inclusion into the COSOP 2024-2029 period to assist smallholder farmers feeding the teaming population as it is a known fact that 70 percent of the farmers in the country are rural people with low-income and subsistence.

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Source: Tribune Newspaper 

https://tribuneonlineng.com/ifad-meets-fg-stakeholders-on-implementation-of-6-years-agric-plan/