NG-CARES not replacement to Fadama Project

Contrary to many people’ thinking, the World Bank- Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-Cares) assisted program of $ 750 million assigned to states government through their Governors  to cushion the effect of 2020 pandemic disease on the human livelihood in the rural areas has been said not to replace the Fadama project which had closed down officially.

This was disclosed to Foodfarmnews by someone who does not want his name mentioned.

There have been speculations that NG-Cares) program may have been initiated to replace Federal Government/ World Bank Fadama assisted programme on agriculture for food security towards the enhancement of rural farmers’ livelihood in a very inclusive decision taking to their economic benefits.

 NG-Cares is a two year World Bank assisted post Covid-19 program of $ 750 million credit to the states government under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for the 36 states of the federation and FCT coming based on the appeal of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to assist the vulnerable and poor rural dwellers along the value chains of food productivity against the negative effect of 2020 pandemic disease outbreak

Although the program was said to have commenced behind the scheduled time, but there is indication it would be extended to cover the estimated years as each state was expected to get $20 million, while FCT will be given 15 million dollars just like Federal- Cares support unit for effective monitoring at the states level.

Although the project is said to have been tailored along the improved model of Fadama 111 Additional Financing (AF) , but our source pointed it was not a replacement to Fadama projects which had been described by many beneficiaries as the best in the history of programme that have tremendously supported food security to the tone of twenty million metric tons in 2014-2015.

A source close to the Fadama office said the Additional Financing program of the World Bank-FG and states government had been officially closed, and effort to bring another program to replace it gradually getting into final conclusion to galvanised our food security with the use of modern technology to ensure commercialization and better livelihood against poverty.