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Farmers and community members in about three local governments including Nafada, Balanga, and Yemeter/Debi areas of Gombe state have expressed gratitude to the World Bank-FMARD Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria ( ANRiN) project.
The ANRiN project which has impacted over 3,000 participants is aimed to tackle malnutrition through provision of nutritious food inputs to vulnerable people.
As the project is close to end, its beneficiaries are already calling for an extension, urging the authorities to broaden its spread.
ANRiN project
launched in 2019/2020 by the World Bank-FMARD has focused on improving nutrition for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under five. It has two key components namely
1. Basic Package of Nutrition Services that focuses on scaling up nutrition interventions across 12 states, including Gombe as house training on nutritional food, inputs provision and guardian on dietary practices are the ultimate.
2. Stewardship and Project Management: Aims to strengthen federal and state-level stewardship to ensure the delivery of sustainable nutrition services.
Through Global Agricultural Practices (GAP) training, the project has also equipped farmers with knowledge about growing maize, pepper, tomatoes, vegetables like Ugu (pumpkin leaves), and even livestock management in goats keeping. Beneficiaries were also given inputs to create homestead gardens, enabling them to grow nutritious food within their households.
Impact on Local Communities
Speaking, the Field Officer for the project in the FMARD, Mr. Adanlawo Julius Adekunle, shared his insights saying that “Before we began, we held consultative meetings to identify crop varieties that would enhance nutritional value and provide a balanced diet for participants.
We incorporated these varieties into our value chain and distributed the seeds to farmers. In fact, the seeds and goats were given to the farmers free of charge, followed up with regular monitoring.”
Our visit to Nafada, Balanga, and Yemeter/Debi confirmed the provision which beneficiaries have confirmed to result into increased productivity and better nutrition among participants adding the many families are now growing their own food and sharing knowledge with their neighbors about how the project is helping to combat malnutrition.
The project has been hailed as life-changing, with participants advocating for its continuation beyond the planned conclusion in December 2024. A representative of the project’s beneficiaries, Ali Manu, expressed deep appreciation, stating, "We are overwhelmed with joy and have nothing but gratitude for the support we’ve received." He also called for the program’s extension to benefit more people in the community.
Manu highlighted how the project has improved local diets, with households now consuming nutrient-rich foods like Ugu, maize fortified with Vitamin A, sweet potatoes, and goat meat. "We are healthier now, and the project has taught us the importance of balanced nutrition," he said.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the final group of beneficiaries, project representative Ali Manu said, “We are filled with joy and have nothing but prayers for those who made this possible.” He also emphasized the need for the program to be extended to provide even more support to other members of the community.
He continued, "We’ve used the harvest for making soups, and sweet potatoes have been processed into snacks like chin chin and donuts. Sometimes we cook it like Jollof. I even sold one of my goats to buy a bag of maize for my household. We are incredibly thankful to the World Bank-FMARD ANRiN team for their support. The Ugu leaves, for instance, provide essential nutrients. They help our children fight diseases like malaria because many of us suffer from iron deficiency. This project has made a big difference, and now our children are healthier."
Manu urged the government to extend the program, citing the significant benefits it has brought to his community. He noted that if the project continues, the community will become food-sufficient and prosperous. "The goats we received have been crucial, not just for food but for cultural events like marriages and Salah celebrations. I was given two female goats and one male goat, and now I have seven, even after selling one due to the economic challenges we face."
Nasiru Umaru Kwando, Head of the Agriculture Department at Yemeter/Debi and an extension agent trained to introduce improved farming technologies, added, “The World Bank-FMARD ANRiN project has been a tremendous help. I’ve undergone multiple trainings, and as an extension agent, I’ve passed this knowledge on to other farmers, teaching them how to plant, transplant, and care for their crops. The results have been outstanding in terms of production yields.
Community Support for Project Extension
Traditional leaders and local farmers have voiced their support for extending the project. The District Head of Yemeter/Debi, Manu Yerima, praised the initiative for providing access to balanced diets, creating jobs, and empowering women and youth.
"This project has transformed our community," he said. "We request a five-year extension to build on this progress."
Women beneficiaries, like Aisha Salisu from Nafada LGA, also shared their positive experiences. Salisu, the Governor of the project for her community, explained that the ANRiN project taught her how to prepare nutritious meals for her family, which has improved their health significantly. "Before, we ate unbalanced meals, but now we know how to eat right," she said.
In Angwan Bauchi, Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State, Dija Mallam, a female farmer and beneficiary of the World Bank-FMARD ANRiN project, shared her success story. She initially benefited from the federal government’s National Social Beneficiary Registry through cash transfers, which eventually connected her to the ANRiN program.
With the support of her husband, Mallam has successfully grown the seeds and livestock provided by the project. She is particularly proud of her healthy maize crops, which she plans to share with neighbors, promoting good nutrition in the community. 
The homestead garden has transformed her family’s diet, enabling her to introduce a balanced variety of carbohydrates, proteins, and other essential nutrients to her children.
In Jurari Community, Balanga Local Government Area, Food Farm News spoke with Zubudatu, a student whose mother was out at the market during the visit. 
Zubudatu described the homestead garden as a source of hope and happiness for her family. “The garden brings us joy and puts food on our table every day,” she said. In her mother’s absence, she has learned to take care of the garden, which provides nutritious food for the family.
Jamila Aliyu, a farmer from the Labu community in Balanga Local Government Area, Gombe State, shared how the support she received through the World Bank-FMARD ANRiN project has transformed her family’s well-being.
She noted that the project's components have enabled her to consistently provide nutritious meals for her family, resulting in visibly improved health for her husband and children.
Aliyu highlighted how her husband's support has been instrumental in growing their farm, emphasizing that since receiving training from the project, she now sees farming as more than just a job, it’s a means of survival.
She expressed pride in being able to care for her family through her farming efforts and even extend that generosity to those in her community.
A particularly touching story comes from Talatu, an 8-year-old widow and farmer from Yemeter/Debi, a community known for its okra farming. Talatu had been struggling to provide for her family after her husband’s death, but her life changed when she became a beneficiary of the ANRiN project through her Master Trainer, Aliyu.
Talatu received seeds to grow maize, ugu, pawpaw, tomatoes, and peppers. "Now, we’re ready for harvest," she shared with pride. "The project has taught us how to grow, eat, and share nutritious food, and it has made a big difference in my family’s life." She emphasized how the initiative has transformed her family’s health and economic situation, allowing them to enjoy well-balanced meals. “I no longer rely on my husband’s family for support,” Talatu added, calling on the government to ensure the project’s sustainability.
Another male farmer from Balanga Local Government Area also expressed his gratitude. He explained how the project taught him the skills to cultivate homestead nutritious crops and manage livestock.
Taking the team to his farm, he proudly shared that he had sold one of his smaller goats to purchase a larger one, allowing him to continue breeding livestock for food, income, and sharing with others. 
This, he said, was key to ensuring the project’s sustainability in his community.
Government and Stakeholder Support
Nuhu Kilishi, Director of Nutrition and Food Safety Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security why speaking with Food Farm News said the impact of the World Bank-ANRiN project, which focuses on enhancing food security through community empowerment and diversified food production, is supported by various ministries, particularly emphasizes short food production cycles and the development of homestead gardens.
The project trains community members, providing them with startup resources such as improved seeds both for crops and vegetables, as well as livestock, including goats. Participants receive comprehensive training on crop production, animal husbandry, harvesting, preservation, and processing for market access.
Kilishi described the program as a "holistic package" designed to improve food access and empower farmers economically.
According to Kilishi “As the project progresses, discussions are underway to initiate a second phase due to its notable success. Many beneficiaries have expressed the desire for an extension of the program, prompting federal advocacy efforts involving state ministers of agriculture and planning to secure continued investment from state governments”
The Director emphasized that the federal government’s commitment to ensuring the project's sustainability, noting that some households have even begun producing seeds for sale. The program not only empowers participants but also encourages local food production and consumption, laying the groundwork for long-term community resilience.
Dr. Barnabas Malle, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Livestock, and Cooperatives, commended the World Bank and FMARD for implementing the ANRiN Project.
He noted that the program has significantly improved nutrition and well-being among participants. "Over 3,000 farmers and households have benefited from this project, and we are seeing the positive results in health and agricultural productivity," he said.
Plans are underway to scale the program to all 11 local government areas in Gombe State, with discussions ongoing between state and federal ministries.
Mr. Ibrahim Salihu, the Chairman of Balanga Local Government Area (LGA), has urged the World Bank to extend its Agricultural and Nutritional Revitalization in Nigeria (ANRiN) project. Salihu emphasized the project's significant impact on addressing the nutritional needs of the local population while also boosting agricultural productivity and creating new economic opportunities.
During a meeting, Salihu highlighted the project's success in enhancing food security and improving the livelihoods of farmers in the region. "The ANRiN project has been instrumental in providing our people with the resources and training they need to grow more nutritious food and increase their income," he said.
Salihu noted that the ongoing challenges of malnutrition and food scarcity in Balanga necessitate an extension of the project. He argued that the continued support from the World Bank would ensure that families have access to essential nutrients, thereby fostering healthier communities and a more resilient agricultural sector.
The Chairman also pointed out the project's role in facilitating partnerships between local farmers and agricultural experts, which has led to innovative farming practices and improved crop yields. "We must build on this momentum to create lasting economic opportunities for our people," Salihu added.
Future Sustainability
The Acting Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Salisu Baba Alkali, emphasized the importance of sustaining the project’s gains. She explained that the state government is working closely with federal authorities to ensure the program's continuation. "We are committed to maintaining the positive outcomes of this project," Alkali said.
The Focal Person of the World Bank-FMARD ANRiN project shared with Food Farm News the program's key mission: to educate communities on nutrition and reduce the high prevalence of malnutrition in Nigeria. He explained that the initiative involves several Federal Implementing Entities (FIEs), including the Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health, Social Welfare, Women Affairs, and other stakeholders working in unison to achieve this goal.
The Focal Person emphasized the success of the project over the past five years, noting that master trainers have been prepared, and participants are already benefiting from homestead gardening. He highlighted the commitment from state authorities and local leaders, especially the Emirs, who have supported the project and pledged to sustain it. The state government has also promised additional funding to continue the initiative after the program’s completion.
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Expressing gratitude to the World Bank, he acknowledged that the project has significantly impacted lives, achieving its purpose of addressing malnutrition and promoting sustainable food practices. A documentary is also in the works to showcase the project's achievements, with the World Bank likely to visit communities and observe the progress firsthand.
The project has successfully slowed the spread of malnutrition in the communities, with many households now enjoying healthier diets. As a part of the program’s ongoing efforts, a reward system has been introduced, with prizes such as ₦250,000 and a grinding machine, and other gifts set aside for the participant with the best garden.
Conclusion
As the World Bank-FMARD ANRiN Project nears its end in December 2024, its impact on nutrition and livelihoods in Gombe State is undeniable. Local leaders, farmers, and government officials are rallying for the initiative’s extension, recognizing it as a critical tool in the fight against malnutrition. Expanding the project could further strengthen food security and improve the well-being of vulnerable populations across the state.
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