The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) representative in Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dominique Koffy Kouacou; has said that N4.84 million people are to experience acute food insecurity in the Northeastwe.
According to him, there will be an increase of 240,000 people projected to experience food insecurity compared to the October 2023 Cadre Humanize {CH) analysis.
Kouacou disclosed this yesterday (Monday), in Maiduguri, while launching the 2024 rainy season farm input distribution to farmers in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states.
The FAO representative said that out of the projected population, 4.84 million people are in the BAY states.
He noted that this indicated an increase in the number of people projected to experience high acute food insecurity compared to 4.4 million reported in October 2023.
This year’s farm input distribution, themed: “Good Prospects for Improving Food Security,” has targeted small-holder farmers and vulnerable IDP farmers to boost food security and employment in the region affected by over a decade conflict.
“We’re committed to support the country to strengthen the resilience capacity of the affected population, particularly the people affected by the 15-year conflict.
Besides, he added all the vulnerable population require protection interventions’
“This is in addition to food, livelihood, and nutrition assistance,” he said, stating that FAO and other development partners are committed to rebuilding the livelihoods of people in Borno and across the northeast.
Continuing; “FAO’s emergency strategy aims to strengthen the food production capacity of farming and agro-pastoral communities in conflict affected areas.
“Our vision on zero hunger as highlighted by the SDG2 guides our intervention through procurement and distribution of nutrient dense vegetables, cereals, and legume quality seeds and NPK fertilizers.”
Kouacou said that this year, with the funding support from four financing partners including the Governments of Norway, U.S, Switzerland, and the European
Commission, FAO is supporting 26,750 vulnerable households, including returning
IDPS and their host communities with productive agriculture assets to restore their livelihoods.
According to him, the 2024 intervention in Borno state will benefit 9,975 households across seven local councils.
“Our support will also help households mitigate the escalating food insecurity while at the same time build resilience of the returnees in the settled communities,” he said.
The FAO representative, therefore, appreciated the collaboration with the Borno state government and support of Governor Babagana Zulum.
The Acting Governor of the State, Umar Kadafur, who doubles as the deputy governor, said that the distributed assorted improved seeds will restore the livelihoods of farmers.
He, therefore, urged them to utilize the distributed farm inputs to boost food security and employment
