Abuja: The Norwegian Government has committed $1.4 million to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to combat food insecurity in the North-East regions of Nigeria. This announcement was made during a signing ceremony in Abuja, where Svein Baera, the Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, emphasized Norway’s dedication to supporting affected communities in the region.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Baera highlighted the challenges faced by countries globally in maintaining aid budgets, noting that many have been forced to reduce their financial commitments due to various constraints. Despite this, Norway has managed to allocate additional funds specifically for the FAO’s initiatives in Nigeria, aiming to support those in dire need across several states.

Dominique Kouacou, the FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, expressed optimism about the impact of this financial boost. He explained that the FAO would enhance its efforts to provide essential support to communities affected by crises and natural disasters, thereby aiding their recovery and growth. Kouacou also assured that the funds would be used efficiently to conduct training for farmers, ultimately helping to boost agricultural production and combat hunger.

Acknowledging Norway’s support, Kouacou stated that every dollar received would be directed towards achieving food security in Nigeria. He mentioned that over 700,000 people in the North-East have already benefited from various agricultural initiatives facilitated by the FAO. Initially, the organization planned to support 50 farmers in January but could only assist 25 due to funding constraints. With the new financial support, they aim to extend assistance in providing fertilizers and seedlings to more farmers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this support will target Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Taraba States, focusing on enhancing food production and building climate resilience in these areas.