FG, NALDA start land clearing for displaced farmers

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), has commenced the opening up of farmlands to support Internally Displaced Persons across the country.

The initiative is part of NALDA’s newly unveiled 10-year strategic plan (2025-2034), aimed at developing and optimising 10 million hectares of land to boost food production.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop on the strategy, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the ministry has partnered with NALDA to develop 150,000 hectares of farmland to aid IDPs.

He pointed out that Nigeria currently has over 3 million displaced persons, many of whom live in IDP camps or host communities, saying it’s not sustainable for the federal government and humanitarian organisations to keep spending billions of naira yearly to support the IDPs, hence the need for a durable solution.

Prof. Yilwatda explained that under the program, IDPs will be organised into cooperative groups, saying while NALDA handles land clearing, the ministry will provide farm inputs, and IDPs will supply labour.

He stated that the federal government will off-take 70% of the proceeds, while 30% will be retained by participating IDPs to meet their needs. The remaining 70% will be redistributed among other IDPs who did not participate.

The initiative aims to enhance productivity, resilience, and economic stability among IDPs.

“The World Food Programme (WFP) has raised concerns about IDPs selling relief food in the open market because they have other needs,” Yilwatda said. “This partnership will make them self-sufficient by ensuring they grow and sell their produce while receiving cash for their other needs.”

The pilot phase has already been implemented in Benue (600,000 hectares) and Zamfara (300,000 hectares), with further expansion planned in Plateau and Borno states.

The Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr. Cornelius Adebayo, emphasized that the 10-year strategy will include land preparation, irrigation, as well as the provision of farm infrastructure, such as hostels for farmers and security facilities, saying a recent MoU with the Police Trust Fund will ensure security within farming clusters.

He stated that the government plans to develop 5 million hectares in the next five years and optimise land recovery to boost food production and exports.

Adebayo said the initiative, which has already taken off and launched in Kwara, Ekiti, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, and Zamfara states, is expected to enhance food security and reduce poverty, malnutrition, and insecurity.

He stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed full government support to ensure the program’s success in stabilising the nation’s food system.