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By Chris Ochayi ABUJA \u2013 The United States African Development Foundation, USADF, has invested a total of $24 million in grants to various cooperative societies to boost the growth of local enterprises and rural farming in Nigeria in the last few years.<\/p>\n
The Executive Director of Diamond Development Initiatives, DDI, and implementing partner for USADF projects, Mr Adamu Garba disclosed this at a DDI Conference and Mini Agriculture Fair held in Abuja<\/p>\n
According to him, \u201cUSADF has invested over $24 million in these cooperatives societies over the years. They are still working in Nigeria and we look forward to getting more assistance from them.\u201d He said the purpose of the fair was to showcase the agricultural products from the cooperative societies all around Nigeria whose projects were funded by USADF and managed by DDI.<\/p>\n
On ensuring food security, Garba said: \u201cIf we make concerted efforts in improving agriculture and backing our words with action production will increase.\u201d Garba also said over 450,000 people have benefited from the USADF projects in Africa from which 60 per cent are women. \u201cAbout 70 per cent of USADF programmes in Nigeria is developing the agriculture value chain to create impact in improving the livelihood of the rural people, he noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know Danladi Sidi, a rice farmer in Kano state whose yield has tripled because he has adopted improved agronomy practices and followed the technical assistance that has been provided,\u201d Garba noted. In his remarks, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr W. Stuart Symington lauded the interventions and the local farmers who are improving lives saying, \u201cIt is a great honour of the time of my life in Nigeria to hear of that transformation work that you are doing so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
President\/CEO of USADF, Mr C.D. Glin, who lauded DDI, the rural entrepreneurs and farmers in Nigeria and other stakeholders in the development project, said the organisation has worked in key parts of Nigeria including Kano, Lagos and the Niger Delta. Glin said, \u201cEverything we do here is led by Nigerians. We have a commitment to Agriculture.<\/p>\n
We strongly believe that one of the key drivers for Africa\u2019s success, for Nigeria\u2019s success will be in the agricultural sector.\u201d Chairman, Board of Directors of USADF, Jack Leslie said the United States was funding development projects in Africa because the success of Africa is important for his country. He said: \u201cI know we are seen as helping you to do the things that you do in the communities but your success is our success; your success is very important to the US.\u201d The fair showcased leather-works from Zaria, Garri from Ikara in Kaduna state; improved local rice from Kebbi state; refined palm oil, fish feeds among others that that had value added to them including branding and packaging.<\/p>\n