In a move to support food security in Nigeria, the Canadian Government, through Global Affairs, in partnership with the African Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), has launched N1.3 billion in grants to benefit 40 female farmers’ groups in Kano State.
The initiative is part of Canada’s efforts to complement the Nigerian government’s push towards securing the nation’s food supply.
Speaking at the launch via Zoom on Wednesday, the Head of Canadian Global Affairs in Nigeria, Arash Tehrani, highlighted Canada’s commitment to addressing humanitarian challenges in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the country’s recent struggles with floods and insecurity, which have displaced many from their homes and farmlands, emphasizing that the grants are aimed at supporting women in agriculture as a way to aid recovery.
Tehrani revealed that the grants, amounting to CAN $7.75 million, would be distributed as non-repayable funds.
However, beneficiaries must meet specific milestones as outlined in their agreements with the AECF. The grants are part of Canada’s strategy to bolster food security in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergency declaration on the issue.
Susan Situma, Director of Program Research at AECF, further explained that the five-year program targets women across the agricultural value chain in Kano. It aims to support cooperatives and businesses, particularly in the garri-value chain, to enhance incomes, boost climate resilience, and improve livelihoods. The program is also expected to create 870 jobs and benefit 21,000 individuals in total.
In addition to financial support, the program will provide capacity building and gender policy formulation to tackle barriers that limit women’s participation in agribusiness.