Food Security & Livelihood
“Since 2015, JDPC Maiduguri has been implementing projects on food security and livelihoods in areas of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, and so has become an active member of the Northeast Food Security Sector.
JDPC Maiduguri has implemented FSL oriented projects in both emergency and resilience contexts. These FSL interventions includes projects funded by German MFA, Norwegian MFA, FAO projects, etc. which hahve contributed immensely to combating food insecurity within areas of implementation, and also built the capacity of JDPC Maiduguri’s Staff.
In the FSL component, JDPC Maiduguri conduct activities such as distribution of agricultural tools and inputs, cash voucher assistance, trainings on best agronomic practices, Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) etc.”
AGRICULTURE
Since 2009, North–East Nigeria has faced severe insurgency from armed opposition
groups (AOGs), leading to a “state of emergency” in 2013. Despite
ongoing conflicts and efforts to address them, more than 2.5 million people
remain displaced, primarily in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. While some
areas have achieved relative stability, many returning families have lost their
homes, livelihoods, and assets, leaving them vulnerable to further conflict.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been actively responding
to critical needs in terms of water, sanitation, shelter, food security, and
nutrition in Yobe and Borno states since 2016. This includes a project funded
by the USAID Office of Food for Peace, which provides emergency food assistance
to families affected by conflict. As part of their comprehensive approach to
food security, CRS also supports families with agriculture initiatives,
offering seeds, tools, and training for both home gardening and field crop
production, all while emphasizing environmentally friendly and climate-smart
agricultural practices.
In 2019, JDPC, in partnership with the primary organization
(CRS) and with funding from USAID, implemented an agricultural intervention
program in the Magumeri and Kaga Local Government Areas. This initiative
specifically aimed to benefit 2,500 farming households. The selection criteria
for these households, factors such as land access and prior farming
experience, a commitment not to relocate during the project, and the capability
to actively engage in the program, including receiving training in Best
Agronomic Practices (BAP) The project participants were provided with improved
seed varieties, a variety of farming tools, PICS bags, and received technical
training on the best agronomic practices.
SUCCESS STORY
Aisha Zarami, a 64-year-old widow hailing from Borgozo
village in the Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, has faced significant
hardship. Aisha and her late husband were previously engaged in modest trading
and successful farming, with a remarkable harvest of approximately 10 bags of
groundnut, 5 bags of maize, and 8–10 bags of cowpea during each planting
season, generating around NGN638,000 ($1,680) annually. Tragically, Borgozo
fell victim to an insurgent attack four years ago, resulting in her husband’s
death and the destruction of their cultivated lands. Aisha described her
husband as the family’s primary provider prior to the village’s assault.
In the aftermath of the attack, Aisha and her family were
relocated to the Bulabulin Internal Displaced Persons camp in Beneshiek.
Struggling with the absence of farmland and adequate sustenance, she could only
manage to feed her children once a day, often neglecting the adults, who faced
hunger. Approximately five months later, Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
enlisted Aisha’s family to receive aid through the USAID/FFP-funded emergency
food assistance project. Aisha received an electronic voucher that was supplemented
with funds every month, enabling her family to purchase food supplies and
farming necessities to restart their agricultural endeavors.
Aisha also underwent training in best agricultural
practices, which covered various aspects from preparing the land to handling
crops post-harvest. She accessed a 120 x 60 meters farmland through a friend in
her host community, where she cultivated groundnut, cowpea, sorghum, and
millet. Within the camp, she also grew pepper, Amaranthus, sorrel, and onion.
Aisha applied the compost-making techniques she learned during her agricultural
training, resulting in a productive harvest. Although it may not be sufficient
for selling, Aisha is relieved that both she and her children will have enough
food to sustain them for the next 3-4 months. Her children no longer need to
beg for food in the neighborhood, as they can now select from the variety of
food items available in the store. Aisha is optimistic about the prospect of
continued agricultural support from CRS, which will allow her to maintain her
farming activities and reduce her family’s reliance on external assistance.
