USAID, CRS launch “Water For Agriculture” activity to aid farmers, herders in North East

By Ochiaka Ugwu

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a three-year, $8 million Cooperative Agreement to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to boost the livelihoods of small holder farmers in States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe by improving the water supply in crisis-affected zones in North East Nigeria.

The USAID/Nigeria Mission Director, Mr. Stephen M. Haykin in his remarks at the launch in Abuja yesterday said the activity will help Nigeria provide adequate and sustainable water supply to both crop and livestock farmers in several conflict affected communities of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

Haykin said there is no question that an acute food security crisis has unfolded in the wake of the extremist insurgencies as they have seen eight years of massive population displacement, neglect and destruction of agricultural systems, diminished access to farmland and loss of livelihoods.

He further informed that the Activity which will be implemented by Catholic Relief Services will assist some of the region’s most vulnerable communities saying that it will expand water access for both agriculture and livestock that increase income generation for small holder farmers and help them recover from the economic destruction wrought by the insurgencies.

He noted that Nigerian government is already making progress towards enhanced rural livelihoods in the region and they are here because of the commitment shown by federal government and governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States on improving rural infrastructure in the North East.

Haykin said to implement the activity; they have engaged Catholic Relief Services to help them collaborate with the federal, state and local government as well as private sector to deliver results that contribute directly to their shared mission of improving the lives of all Nigerians.

Also speaking, Deputy Country Representative – Programs for CRS, Mr. Dane Fredenburg said the scheme  is a critical activity that aims to address a major challenge of inadequate water for sustaining livestock and cultivating crops in North East Nigeria.

Continuing, he said Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

His words, “CRS alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.

“CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished with our partners through programs in, HIV, health, agriculture and livelihood, education and emergency response” he said.