The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, commends ‘Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity’ for Empowering over 18,000 Small Enterprises in Seven States.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) marked a significant milestone on October 10, 2023, celebrating the achievements of the five-year ‘Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity.’ This $15.7 million initiative made substantial strides in supporting over 18,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across seven states—Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Niger.
This transformative initiative facilitated access to finance, mobilizing more than N188 billion ($244 million) in agricultural investments. The MSMEs, primarily engaged in aquaculture, cowpea, maize, rice, and soybean production, are now well-equipped to expand their operations and enhance food production.
In collaboration with federal and state ministries of agriculture and food security, as well as the private sector, USAID has played a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. This partnership focused on increasing productivity, broadening market reach, enhancing nutrition, and facilitating financial access.
Michelle Corzine, Director of USAID/Nigeria Economic Growth and Environment Office, emphasized the remarkable progress witnessed in the agricultural sector. She underscored the importance of continued collaboration between public and private stakeholders to further improve the business environment for Nigeria’s farmers.
The commemorative event drew over 150 attendees, including Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, USAID officials, and various public and private-sector partners. This collective effort stands as a testament to the potential for impactful collaborations in fostering growth within Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
