The Associate Vice President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Rome, Dr. Donal Brown, is in Nigeria to deepen the partnership to promote Nigeria’s food security initiatives.
Speaking during a high-level meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen, Abubakar Kyari, Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Brown said Nigeria is a key partner of the UN organization, adding that he was in the country to assess existing IFAD projects and areas of further collaboration.
“Nigeria is one of our strongest partners and part of my mission is to try to strengthen and deepen that partnership.
“We also very much welcome the new government’s pledge to clear the arrears of previous pledges. That again is a sign of the strong partnership and the commitment of this government.
“Not only is my mission to strengthen our relationship this week but secondly is to look at the future direction of support that IFAD can provide the government,” the IFAD Vice President said.
In his remarks at the high-level meeting, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Kyari, expressed gratitude to IFAD for massive food security support and due diligence in the existing operations of FGN/IFAD Portfolios.
“The smooth implementation of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), Value Chain Development Program (VCDP) Additional Financing (AF) and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) Program underscores the unique quality of our strategic partnership.
“It is my strong belief that some of the next steps in the implementation of LIFE-ND which include the approval of a one-year extension, request for $20m additional Financing (AF) and preparation of LIFE-ND phase 2 will be given accelerated attention.
“I would also like to appeal for the release of $5m ASAP grant to VCDP for climate change adaptation as well as the approval of her request for a two-year extension to enable the program to improve on its disbursement status,” the minister said.
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