USAID inaugurates $3m grants to aid food security challenge in Nigeria

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director in Nigeria, Anne Patterson disclosed that USAID has inaugurated a COVID-19 Food Security Challenge that will offer $3 million grant and practical aid to youth-led and mid-stage organisations working in food value chains in Nigeria.

According to a statement made available to reporters on Sunday, USAID declared that Nigeria is facing food insecurity aggravated by the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic and its consequences on the food value chain in the nation.

As indicated by the statement, the pandemic has affected delicate agricultural value chains, particularly the ability of small-scale farmers to produce, process, and distribute food.

Patterson said, “This disrupts agricultural productivity and markets, and negatively impacts livelihoods, especially among vulnerable households, women, and youth.

“We are launching the COVID-19 Food Security Challenge to help innovative Nigerians alleviate food insecurity.

“This assistance encourages private sector-led solutions to boost food production, processing, and create market linkage along the agriculture value chain in a sustainable way across Nigeria.”

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that is mainly responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.

The agency transforms families, communities, and countries so that they can thrive and prosper. Whether by preventing the next global epidemic, responding to a devastating earthquake, or helping a farmer access tool to grow her business.

USAID’s work advances United States national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience.

The agency is organised around country development programs managed by resident USAID offices in developing countries (“USAID missions”), supported by USAID’s global headquarters in Washington, DC.