By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders have validated the Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and French Development Agency (AFD) Value Chain in Northern Nigeria (VCN) programme’s complementary studies.

The programme aims to contribute sustainably to poverty reduction, improved nutrition, and greater resilience among rural and vulnerable populations in northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the validation workshop on Monday in Abuja, stakeholders stated that the VCN complementary studies were conducted to provide a deeper understanding of the context in which the project would be implemented.

The studies also identified key leverage points and challenges faced in the region.

Bukar Musa, Director of the Project Coordinating Unit at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the VCN programme is a Federal Government initiative designed to improve the livelihoods of half a million smallholder farmers and uplift vulnerable populations.

Musa explained that the programme’s objectives would be achieved by strengthening value chains, enhancing agricultural productivity, and increasing market access.

He added that the project aligns with the Presidential Emergency Declaration on Food Security, the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), and other related policies.

According to Musa, implementing the VCN programme will help reduce poverty, enhance nutrition, and improve the resilience of rural populations in nine northern states—Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.

Mrs Dede Ekoue, Country Director of IFAD Nigeria, stated that the complementary studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Innovation Centre (FAO) would strengthen the implementation of the already developed project implementation manual.

Ekoue noted that the studies were funded by IFAD and AFD.

“This collaborative and systematic approach with development partners and UN agencies fosters the scaling up and efficiency of investment in support of national priorities for agro-food systems transformation and sustainable development.

“This development focuses on the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNDSDCF) and AFD Nigeria’s Country Intervention Strategy,” she said.

Ekoue added that the VCN programme, expected to be signed in August 2025, would directly benefit an estimated 456,000 smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs.

Ms Sally Ibrahim, Project Manager representing AFD’s Country Director in Nigeria, Xavier Muron, said the workshop marked the successful completion of studies intended to facilitate the operational implementation of the VCN programme.

Ibrahim stated that the programme aims to promote inclusive economic opportunities for vulnerable populations and address food and nutritional insecurity in northern Nigeria.

“AFD’s current support to the sector in Nigeria focuses mainly on improving rural access and agri-markets.

“This future support for the VCN programme, alongside IFAD, represents a significant step in creating synergies with other agro-food development programmes implemented by the government.

“It seeks to address the challenges and multiple fragilities facing the agricultural sector,” she said.

Mr Braimah Tofiq, Operations Officer at FAO, explained that the complementary studies conducted by the organisation were aimed at refining and strengthening the project’s implementation strategies.

Tofiq revealed the rising rate of malnutrition in northern Nigeria and outlined key interventions to address the challenge.

They include promotion of nutrient-rich crops, improved maternal and child nutrition, and the encouragement of backyard and small-scale animal husbandry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a highlight of the workshop was the presentation of the VCN complementary studies by Line Kasperson, Investment Support Officer at the FAO Investment Centre in Rome. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo