CRS, USAID, Launches Water Initiative to Empower 55,000 Farmers in Nigeria’s Northeast

By Salifu Faridat

In a major effort to revolutionize agricultural practices and combat the challenges posed by climate change, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in partnership with USAID has achieved a significant milestone by delivering essential water infrastructure to approximately 55,000 farmers and herders in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe.

The CRS country representative, Paul Townsend, unveiled this accomplishment on Friday, during a Water for Agriculture Closeout and Dissemination event held in Abuja.

Townsend emphasized that the CRS achieved this remarkable feat through the Water for Agriculture Activity (WFA) conducted in the three states.

Over the course of four years, the WFA Activity also prioritized the training of over 1,600 farmers in adopting improved agricultural practices.

The introduction of enhanced access to irrigation in targeted areas yielded impressive results, including increased yields for farmers and improved income prospects for both herders and agricultural workers.

Furthermore, it opened doors to strengthen the overall food system by extending the farming season and investing in new value chains, such as fish and others.

Paul Townsend also highlighted the encouraging signs of improved social cohesion resulting from this initiative, seen as the “glue” that will foster sustainability and maintain the positive impacts of these investments.

Recognizing the looming threat of climate change to the agricultural sector, he stressed the importance of collective action and continued investment in community resilience and responsible utilization of natural resources.

Michelle Corzine, the USAID Nigeria director of the Office of Economic Growth and Environment, underscored the significance of their Water for Agriculture Activity in addressing the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and water availability.

By increasing access to water for smallholder farmers and livestock herders, and implementing efficient water resource management, the initiative successfully tackled some of the pressing challenges faced by farmers in the region.

The fruitful collaboration between the CRS and USAID has not only provided vital water access to thousands of farmers and herders but has also laid the foundation for sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change.

This project serves as a beacon of hope, bolstering Nigeria’s agricultural resilience and fostering prosperity for local communities.