The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Representative in
Nigeria, Al Hassan Cisse; has said that distribution of livestock
assets to farmers; was to support and restore livelihoods in the
Northeast.
According to him, activities of small scale farmers; are crucial in
enhancing food security to boost their productivity and incomes.
In a statement yesterday (Thursday) in Maiduguri, Cisse disclosed
that; “The enabling affected population, are to access livestock
assets to restore their lost livelihoods during decade long
insurgency.
“In the context of coronavirus (COVID-19), we have adapted our work to
ensure that we continue to provide livelihoods and resilience building
assistance to the vulnerable population in Borno state.
He said the restoration of livelihoods of Internally Displaced Person
(IDP) returnees; will mitigate negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic
on already fragile livelihoods.
While lamenting on COVID-19 pandemic, he said: “This pandemic is not
just a crisis; it is a crisis within a crisis,” noting that the state
is already undergoing a staggered recovery on account of decade long
insurgency.
According to him, insurgency has caused food shortages, imperiled
livelihoods and exacerbated poverty among IDP returnees.
He warned that now faced with pandemic, conflict affected persons will
be at greater risk if recovery efforts are not sustained and
increased.
This was why he said FAO launched its 2020 livestock restocking
campaign in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
“Today’s (Thursday) distribution is part of a comprehensive initiative
funded by the EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) jointly implemented by
FAO, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment
of Women (UN Women) and the World Food Programme (WFP),” he said.
He explained that the livestock distribution; will empower returnees
by enabling them to reestablish their productive asset base by
replenishing lost livestock.
On this year’s restoration livelihoods projects, Cisse said: “Thanks
for the support of EUTF. FAO is empowering 2, 500 women with goat
kits, including 1,500 women with poultry kits and 1,400 youths with
bulls.”
He said that the targeted beneficiaries are drawn from Bama, Dikwa,
Gwoza, Jere, Kaga, Konduga and Mafa Local Government Areas in the
state.
He added that the beneficiaries are also being trained on rural
livestock management.
