Abuja: The Commodity Leaders Empowerment Network for School Feeding (CLENSFe), an NGO, has demonstrated its commitment to empowering smallholder farmers by connecting them with school feeding programmes. Mr Danladi Ibrahim, a consultant to the NGO, made the commitment while electing committee members of the organisation in Abuja on Friday. Ibrahim stated that the programme’s aim was to ensure a sustainable food supply for students and boost local economies.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the programme involves sourcing food from local farmers to schools to provide nutritious meals for students and create a reliable market for farmers. Additionally, it aims to increase the income of farmers and promote local economic growth. The NGO, also known as a commodity association, is set to empower smallholder farmers as a means to promote agriculture.
Ibrahim explained that the initiative involves sourcing farmers and linking them to government statutory feeding initiatives. For example, farmers will supply food directly to various government boarding schools. The organisation also plans to extend the programme to other institutions like the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), by providing food to prison inmates. Consideration is also given to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and military institutions, aiming to empower farmers through the supply chain.
The programme will operate through Farmers, Agriculture, Digital, Empowerment (FADE), which is designed to transform rural areas in Nigeria through digital technology, focusing on enhancing agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods. The initiative aims to integrate digital tools and technologies into various aspects of agriculture, including precision farming, market linkages, financial services, and access to information.
Mr Bukar Jibrin, the newly elected National Coordinator of the NGO, emphasized the goal of reducing reliance on external suppliers and supporting the local economy. Jibrin called on the organisation to remain committed to ensuring CLENSFe achieves its mandates. Mr Adjarho Oghenekaro, Member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), noted that the programme would help smallholder farmers increase their income and improve their livelihoods, while ensuring students receive healthy, locally-sourced meals.
Dr Chinedu Amadi, the newly elected National Deputy Coordinator, highlighted that the programme is a national initiative covering the entire country. The organisation is collaborating with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as other relevant stakeholders, to ensure that the NGO achieves its objectives and mandates effectively.