The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) country representative in
Nigeria, Al Hassan Cisse has said that 3,400 goats were distributed to
restore livelihoods of displaced persons in Borno.
The agriculture and livestock means of livelihoods of 1.5 million
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), were destroyed in decade long
Boko Haram insurgency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
According to him, distribution of goats to smallholder farmers; is to
promote sustainable agriculture-based livelihoods.
While distributing hybrid brown goats Wednesday in Gongulong Community
of Borno state, Cisse disclosed: “The breeding of distributed goats
could ensure food security, employment and nutrition among returning
IDPs in communities,”
He noted that as IDP returnees solely depend on livestock breeding,
the goats are to be restocked as their live assets.
“Beneficiaries of livelihood restoration with goats, will get cash
transfer of N15, 800 from World Food Programme (WFP) in three
tranches,” adding that the cash are to feed goats and returnees’ daily
stipends.
FAO’s Livestock Officer, Abdulrahman Mohammed disclosed that the
targeted IDP returnees are widows and the vulnerable of Gongulong
community.
He said that under FAO’s livelihoods restoration, 1,100 goats were
distributed in Adamawa state, while Yobe had 1,750 hybrid goats.
He said in Borno, 1,400 bulls were also distributed to IDP returnee
youths for fattening to earn income, instead of relying on
humanitarian assistance.
