USADF supports Local Enterprises, Farming With $24m

• USADF supports Local Enterprises, Farming With $24m

The United States African Development Foundation has provided $24m in grants to various cooperative societies in Nigeria to boost the growth of local enterprises and rural farmers.

It has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kebbi State Government to develop and expand local agricultural enterprises in the state.

The Executive Director, Diamond Development Initiative, an implementing partner for the USADF projects, Adamu Garba, who spoke on Sunday at the DDI Conference and Mini Agriculture Fair in Abuja, said, “The USADF has invested over $24m in these cooperative societies over the years. They are still working in Nigeria and we look forward to getting more assistance from them.”

He stated that the purpose of the fair was to showcase agricultural products by cooperative societies all around Nigeria, whose projects were funded by the USADF and managed by the DDI.

Garba said it was important to grow agriculture in order to ensure food security, adding that “if we make concerted efforts in improving agriculture and backing our words with action, production will increase.”

According to him, over 450,000 people have benefited from the USADF projects in Africa, out of which 60 per cent are women.