Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The representative of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of United Nations in Nigeria, Suffyan Koroma, has appealed for $18 million (N6.48 billion) to meet the needs of agro-based households in Northeast. The agricultural UN agency targeted 100, 000 households affected by Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. Koroma, made the appeal in a statement issued on Friday in Maiduguri by FAO’s Communication Officer, Patrina Pink. He said the appeal fund goes beyond the provision of livelihood-saving agro-inputs like seeds and fertilizers. “The Farmer Field Schools (FFSs); are another entry point for us to support the most at-risk farming households in this region,” said Koroma, adding that there are plans with regional partners this year, to establish 100 schools. Continuing, he added: “FFSs activities are anchored in non-formal education, enabling learning through direct experience, integrating scientific insights into local knowledge systems.” He however; noted that smallholder farmers face huge hurdles in managing increasingly complex agro- ecosystems. According to him, farmers will learn how to create sustainable solutions to farming and pastoral issues. He explained that the UN agency works closely with farmers to ensure that inputs they receive are being properly utilized. “We ensured that the household farmers employ most effective techniques in the management of their crops and livestock for increased livelihoods and incomes,” he said. He said returnees, host communities and 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) require urgent support to resume their livelihoods, as 80 per cent of them are agriculture-based.
