In the northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Water for Agriculture Activity effort has benefited over 55,000 farmers and herders.
The Feed the Future Water for Agriculture Activity, a USAID-supported effort, has improved water access for farmers and herders in the area, according to a statement from the US Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria.
According to the statement, more than 1,600 farmers have adopted better agricultural production practices as a result of the action.
According to Michelle Corzine, the director of Economic Growth and Environment at USAID/Nigeria, USAID acknowledges the significance of water access for both consumption and agricultural purposes.
“Through our Water for Agriculture Activity, we have increased access to water for smallholder farmers and livestock herders and strengthened the governance and management of water resources,” Corzine said.
USAID highlighted that the ongoing conflicts between herders and farmers in the North-East region can be partly attributed to the limited availability of water resources. However, they also mentioned that the implementation of the “Water for Agriculture Activity” by Catholic Relief Services and their partners has played a significant role in mitigating these tensions. This four-year initiative, running from 2019 to 2023, has successfully contributed to reducing conflicts among the previously warring communities.
“Across the three states, Water for Agriculture constructed and rehabilitated 21 water facilities, including dams, irrigation schemes, boreholes, and water retention ponds,” the statement said.