In order to improve Nigeria’s food security, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has granted a $77,942 training grant to 150 farmers in Bauchi State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These recipients are members of Nigeria’s Community Allied Farmers Association (COMAFAS).
Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, made the announcement at the launch of a poultry training workshop for beneficiaries in Orozo, Abuja.
Toure-Litse stressed that the purpose of this funding is to help young people participate more effectively in agricultural value chains and food production. She emphasized that poultry and fisheries are important economic and development drivers in the subregion.
According to Toure-Litse, ECOWAS has methodically constructed quality training modules and arranged the training of 3,032 young people, 30% of whom are women and 70% are men.
She emphasized that increased agricultural production and competitiveness in West Africa can help food security, economic development, and livelihoods in the region. The ECOWAS Agriculture Policy, which prioritizes agricultural productivity and competitiveness, maintains the governing framework for the 15 member states.
The program is intended to increase the capacity of young and female farmers, improve their access to resources and markets, and encourage their participation in agribusiness. Toure-Litse emphasized the importance of intervening in agricultural gender engagement as well as youth employment in diverse agricultural sectors.
Dr. Austine Maduka, Founder/President of COMAFAS, stated that despite its expansion, Nigeria’s poultry sector can only supply 30% of the country’s demand for poultry products. The program is designed to teach young farmers about the best techniques for starting and managing chicken farming.
The collaboration with ECOWAS is expected to strengthen efforts to secure the availability of meat and other food products, as well as to teach appropriate skills for long-term poverty reduction measures.
75 of the 150 recipients will be trained in chicken farming in the FCT, while the remaining 75 will be trained in fish farming in Bauchi. As initial capital, each FCT beneficiary received 50 birds, as well as bags of poultry feed and medications.