Baskadia

By ETTAH EMMANUEL O. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced that approximately 10,000 Nigerians are projected to benefit from the Global Environment Facility-7’s (GEF-7) Food Systems, Land-Use Restoration (FOLUR), Impact Program (-IP) project. The project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and with a target of at least 50% women, is set to have a significant impact on the livelihoods of individuals in Nigeria.

The inception workshop of the project, titled "Promoting Integrated Landscape Management and Sustainable Food Systems in the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria, specifically in Cross River and Ondo States," was recently held in Calabar. Valued at 345 million dollars over seven years and supported by the Global Environment Facility, led by the World Bank, the project will focus on

harnessing the production of cocoa and oil palm while simultaneously conserving and restoring forest ecosystems in the Niger Delta region. The states of Ondo and Cross River have been carefully selected as the pilot states for the project, with a particular focus on the value chains of cocoa and oil palm.

The GEF-7’s FOLUR-IP Project aims to transform the production systems and landscapes of cocoa and palm oil in the Niger Delta towards sustainability and resilience, thereby delivering multiple environmental and social benefits through its compartmental activities. Upon implementation, the project is expected to cover 795,200 hectares of landscapes with an Integrated Land Management plan, implement sustainable practices on 110,000 hectares of land,

and achieve at least a 20% increase in the yield of cocoa and oil palm per hectare by project closure. Additionally, it is projected that 10,000 individuals will benefit from income diversification interventions, with a targeted at least a 50% being women. The workshop served to ensure that stakeholders and partners have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the project,

discuss co-financing commitments, develop strategies for effective and timely delivery, and explore additional co-financing sources. As the project progresses, it is anticipated that it will bring about positive and sustainable changes to the environment and communities in the Niger Delta region, ultimately contributing to the well-being and livelihoods of the residents. Published by: Ettah Emmanuel O. CEO NaijaBlaseTv Contact us for your news and brand promotions. +2348161558880