The Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihoods Project is a 5-year program with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Project was based in rural communities in Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The project used a multi-sectoral approach to help very poor households (HHs) grow their agricultural production, increase incomes and improve nutrition. The project was implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), Mercy Corps, the Federation for Muslim Women’s Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Making Cents International and in conjunction with 7 CSOs, including Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI).
The foundation of the Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihoods Project approach is agricultural-led growth. For households to prosper, they must balance agriculture for personal consumption and income generation through market engagement. The Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihoods Project improved agricultural practices, including post-harvest storage for nutrient rich crops/livestock already being produced; and promoted a market-oriented approach to diversify production. This was accomplished by ensuring that all agricultural activities are adapted to specific agro-ecological and cultural contexts. The Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihoods Project helped very vulnerable families to diversify their income and implement strong and comprehensive nutrition activities in communities. To help some of the most vulnerable families move along the Pathway to Prosperity, the Project made cash transfers to help meet nutritional needs, recover assets and overcome barriers to income-generating activities. To support sustainability, the Project strengthened the institutional capacity of government systems to implement poverty reduction programs and reinforce accountability between the government and citizens.
DDI led the agricultural component of the project by implementing activities focused on 7 main commodity crops: rice, sorghum, soybean, groundnut, cowpea, maize and millet. The LGAs covered are: Birnin Kebbi and Dank Wasagu in Kebbi State; Rabah, Dange Shuni, Tangaza and Kebbe in Sokoto State, Biu, Hawul, Jere and Kaga in Borno State, Gombi and Hong in Adamawa State, Bursari and Jakusko in Yobe State as well as the Bwari Area Council (BAC) in the FCT.