Helping crisis affected populations to thrive in the face of adversity
Mrs. Rebecca Clement, a 59-year-old head of a household of 7 family members, was among the thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to flee their homes in Madagali and Michika LGAs in Adamawa State due to insurgency in the second half of 2014. The devastating consequences of the crisis left them grieving for lost loved ones, separated from their families, and deprived of education for their children. Their livelihoods, productive assets, and homes were all lost, exacerbating the impact of social displacement caused by the insurgency.
The consequences were far-reaching, adversely affecting the mental health and well-being of the IDPs, as community structures and social cohesion were severely disrupted. In their search for safety and stability, the IDPs sought refuge in the Girei LGA of Adamawa State. However, as IDPs, they faced numerous challenges, including limited access to land, seeds, finance, and modern farming technologies. Their knowledge of improved practices was lacking, leaving them reliant on emergency aid and humanitarian assistance.
A partnership for transformation
The Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity (RRA) partnered with Asma’u Memorial Farms Limited (AMFL) aimed at providing access to affordable, high-quality, climate-resilient, and nutrient-dense seeds for smallholder farmers, enabling increased yields, income, household nutrition, and resilience to shocks and stresses.
Through the support provided by the Rural Resilience Activity, AMFL successfully empowered 168 IDPs through this partnership to become commercial seed outgrowers. The outgrowers received foundation seeds on interest-free loans and were provided with land to engage in seed multiplication, management, packaging, and marketing. The Rural Resilience Activity also offered comprehensive capacity development training to the outgrowers, focusing on climate-resilient seed multiplication and improved crop production and management practices. This knowledge transfer equipped the outgrowers with the skills necessary to enhance their productivity significantly.
Mrs. Rebecca Clement, an enthusiastic participant of the training, expressed her gratitude to the Rural Resilience Activity.
“I want to appreciate the Rural Resilience Activity for training us. I was one of the IDPs from Madagali and Michika LGAs in Adamawa state that was trained on climate-smart seed multiplication and production practices. Before the training, we only had grain seeds and struggled with low yields. However, now we have access to foundation seeds and knowledge that has improved our farming practices. The modernized system of farming has led to an increase in our yields, from 15,000 kg per hectare using our traditional methods to harvesting 39,700 kg per hectare of maize; an increase of 165%. I can now pay my children’s school fees, house rent, and utility bills, and I have ventured into off-farm agricultural trade activities.”
Asma’u Memorial Farms Limited has played a vital role in facilitating access to markets for the outgrowers. By establishing valuable connections within the market, the outgrowers can sell certified seeds at competitive prices. This collaborative effort has enhanced cooperation between the outgrowers and other market actors across the northeast region of Nigeria, leading to increased income and valuable partnerships.
In times of crises and disasters, social cohesion emerges as a crucial component of building community resilience. It refers to the degree of connectedness, cooperation, and mutual trust among community members. The partnership between the Rural Resilience Activity and Asma’u Memorial Farms Limited has fostered social cohesion by organizing the outgrowers into groups with strong leadership structures. This approach allows them to receive capacity development training on business-oriented leadership skills. As a result, the IDPs' support networks have been fortified, trust and collaboration have flourished, and social capital has been cultivated. These elements facilitate cooperation and coordination among the IDPs themselves and with the host community.
Mrs. Rebecca Clement's journey from displacement and adversity to resilience and prosperity exemplifies the profound impact of the Rural Resilience Activity and Asma’u Memorial Farms Limited partnership. By providing access to improved seeds, knowledge, and market linkages, this initiative has not only increased productivity and income but also revitalized hope and rekindled the spirits of the IDPs. Through their determined efforts, the partnership has empowered individuals and strengthened the community's social fabric, leading to a brighter, more resilient future for all.
About the Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity
The Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity is a five-year, US$49 million program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to facilitate economic recovery and growth in vulnerable, conflict-affected areas by promoting systemic change in market systems. The Activity is part of the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative. It is aimed at empowering vulnerable households, communities and systems to cope with current shocks and stresses, and to be prepared to withstand future ones.
The Activity is implemented by Mercy Corps, in partnership with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and Save the Children (SCI), primarily in the Northeast states of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe. Through the COVID-19 Mitigation Response Program, the Activity's operational areas also include Benue, Kebbi, Niger, and Ebonyi states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory. Using market-led approaches, the Activity will move over 600,000 individuals out of chronic vulnerability and poverty.