IFAD identifies poor data, lack of counterpart funding as bane of its intervention in Nigeria

Poor data collection, and lack of counterpart funding on the part of the Nigerian government is currently stalling interventions by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD in its programmes with the Nigerian government, Ides de Willebois, Director West and Central Africa Division Porgramme for IFAD has said.

He gave the information on the sidelines of Nigeria country programme evaluation.

“We have identified that we have weak monitoring and evaluation system. We need better data to better understand the results we are achieving on ground.
“There are still some efficiency problems with a view to better counterpart funds which would help speed up expected project”

This year IFAD is investing $80 million to support rural agricultural activities, and an additional $20 million to tackle arid land issues occasioned by climate change concerns Willebois told Businessday.

“As you know, the agricultural sector is very key in the transformation of the Nigerian’s economy contributing about 20 percent to its GDP, however, investment in the agricultural sector is still very low and currently put at 1 percent “Willebois informed BusinessDay further.

I think more resources are needed to enhance investment in the agricultural sector, which would in turn improve the livelihoods of so many people in Nigeria”

IFAD has been working in Nigeria for 30 years and there is a strong partnership between the government and IFAD in areas of rural infrastructure, crops and supporting the capacity development of community organisation.

Furthermore, Nigeria has IFAD’s second largest Portfolio in Africa with a total project cost of $795.3 million, of which $317.6 million (active and closed Portfolio) are financed by IFAD.

Harrison Edeh