The Federal Government has provided support to 300 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with stipends to engage in farming across 150 hectares of farmland in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Speaking on behalf of the government, the Federal Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, explained that the program is a collaborative effort with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
However, the initiative aims to restore livelihoods for IDPs through agricultural activities and it is set to run for an initial period of 5years .
Represented by the NCFRMI Director of Internally Displaced Persons, Fatima Mamman Daura, Ahmed announced that the first phase of the scheme will be implemented in Nasarawa, Plateau, and Yobe States, with plans to extend the project to other states with significant IDP populations.
To ensure the safety of the participating farmers, the government has committed to providing security through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and its Agro Rangers unit.
“We are here in Bassa Local Government to launch the second phase of the Renewed Hope Project for Internally Displaced Persons,” Ahmed stated.
“This initiative started in Nasarawa State and has now been expanded to Plateau State with this second phase launch.”
The NCFRMI, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has supplied necessary farming inputs to the IDPs.
Furthermore, the private sector has been engaged to provide off-takers who will purchase the produce after harvest, ensuring that the IDPs receive cash in return, contributing not only to their economic stability but also to the nation’s food security.
“We are hopeful that this initiative will restore livelihoods for the IDPs through agriculture,” Ahmed added.