IFAD Spends N2 Billion On Projects In Nigeria
The International Funds for Agriculture
Development, IFAD, has committed 200 million dollars to rural
projects in Nigeria.
Dr Kanayo Nwanze, Vice President of IFAD and the Director General
of Africa Rice Centre, WARDA, in Cotonou, Republic of Benin said
with this amount, the organisation financed eight programmes and
projects in the country since 1985.
Among the programmes and projects, he said, was the roots and
tuber cassava programme, in which IFAD, in collaboration with
other development partners invested heavily.
According to him, “Nigeria happens to be a very crucial partner
with IFAD because Nigeria benefits more from our loan portfolio in
Africa.”
The Challenge
IFAD has placed emphasis on rural and micro-financing to boost the
participation of the grassroots in agriculture.
Under this arrangement three programmes have been earmarked for
various communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
The three programmes include: the community-based agricultural and
rural development programme and community based natural resources
management programme.
In addition, a five-year collaboration strategy would be initiated
in Year 2008 to form the basis for the relationship between the
Nigerian government and IFAD.
NAN/QASIM/YINKA
