The Nigerian Government plans to incorporate the livestock value chain for sustainable pasture production into the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, funded Country Strategic Opportunities Programme, COSOP, for the period between 2024 and 2029.
Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ernest Umakhihe, gave the assurance at the Second Nigeria-lFAD COSOP 2024-2029 workshop in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
COSOP is an initiative aimed at giving small-holder farmers better support in order to achieve food security, reduce poverty and create jobs and wealth.
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The Nigerian Government said this is the reason it agreed to integrate and broaden the value chain to include fish, and livestock among others for nutrition enhancement and income generation in farming households.
IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, said the goal and strategic objective of COSOP are to promote inclusive and resilient growth for the rural economy, through market-driven, innovative, and small-holder farming-centered agri-food system transformation.
The workshop is targeted at helping to share potential entry points for the next COSOP, considering national priorities and achievements of Nigeria-IFAD cooperation and IFAD comparative advantage.
It is also to exchange key lessons, and scale up investments and partnerships by key players in agri-food systems in support of smallholder farmers, including youths, women, and Persons Living With Disabilities.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
