By Ify Onyekwere
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Nigeria and ECOWAS is working closely with the National Committee for Family Farming (NCFF) in Nigeria to advance the United Nations Decade for Family Farming (2019-2028). Mr. Koffy Dominique Kouacou, FAO’s Country Representative, in a recent visit, welcomed NCFF members to the United Nations House in Abuja, where he reiterated the organization’s dedication to the decade’s objectives. Represented by FAO Country Resource Mobilization Officer Mr. Braimah Tofiq, Kouacou emphasized the significance of a collaborative approach to developing a National Action Plan (NAP) that aligns with global family farming goals.
Throughout the meeting, Mr. Kouacou expressed the FAO’s intention to provide essential technical and financial assistance to NCFF Nigeria. He also highlighted the potential for cooperation with other United Nations stakeholders, aiming to ensure that the decade’s objectives are fully achieved. Kouacou praised the NCFF for their progress and encouraged them to continue striving toward their mission.
The FAO pledged to link NCFF Nigeria with the Agricultural Donor Working Group (ADWG), exploring opportunities for diverse funding streams that would support the committee’s comprehensive agenda. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster NCFF’s capacity to achieve its goals by the decade’s conclusion.
Reflecting on the meeting, Mr. Raymond Nyayiti Enoch, National Coordinator of NCFF Nigeria, expressed his gratitude to the FAO for their support and hospitality. He pointed out that since 2019, the FAO, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and other Rome-based agencies have been directed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to support national-level initiatives. This mandate has led the NCFF to engage in meaningful dialogues with the FAO, other UN entities, and key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Federal Government, to collaboratively address the mandates set by the United Nations.
Mr. Enoch reaffirmed the commitment of NCFF Nigeria’s member organizations, including farmer associations, pastoralist groups, producer organizations, civil society, and cooperatives, to the United Nations Decade for Family Farming’s goals. He stressed the importance of the Agricultural Donor Working Group as a vital support mechanism to guide the detailed implementation of the UNDFF.
The gathering, attended by representatives from the FAO, NCFF, and the Benue State Government, was an opportunity to recognize the continued support from the FAO and UN systems in Nigeria. This support, particularly from those focusing on agriculture, food, and nutrition security, has been instrumental in driving national and sub-national advancements in family farming.
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There should just be a proper reeducation about family farming all together.