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

Poor data collection and lack of counterpart funding on the part of the Nigerian government are currently stalling interventions by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in its programmes in the most populated African nation.

Ides de Willebois, director, West and Central Africa Division Programme for IFAD, told BusinessDay on the sidelines of Nigeria Country Programme evaluation held in Abuja.

“We have identified that we have weak monitoring and evaluation system. We need better data to see better effective results on the ground. The opportunity to provide more opportunities for the rural youths.

“There are still some efficiency problems with a view to better counterpart funds, which would help speed up expected project,” Willebois said.

Amid revenue concerns occasioned by dwindling oil resources, the Federal Government said its diversification plans targeted mainly the agricultural and solid mineral sector for wealth creation, but analysts believe this development could be a major threat for such initiative, since IFAD programme build capacity for rural women and youths in its agricultural programme.

In the current year running, IFAD is investing $80 million to support rural agricultural activities and 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 Nigeria’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.

“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,” he said.

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.

The focused area of the ongoing IFAD portfolios include four operations: The Community-based Natural Resource Management Programme – in Niger Delta; the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) and the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and the Climate Change adaptation and agribusiness support Programme in Savannah belt.

Willesbois suggested further engagement with the states as most of the agricultural activities were performed at that level.

“Indeed, it is important we engage more at the state level because, that is where activities happen. And as we have seen, ownership for IFAD development depends greatly on the level of ownership of such projects in the states. IFAD has been working in the North, Middle belt and the South.”