Food Security: FG Launches New Empowerment Project For IDPs

The federal government has officially launched the second phase of its “Renewed Hope Agricultural Empowerment Project for Internally Displaced Persons (REHAEPI),“ which aims to restore livelihoods for internally displaced persons through agricultural initiatives focused on enhancing food security in the country.

The project‘s second phase, part of numerous government interventions to boost food security, was launched in the Basa local government area of Plateau State.

Speaking at the event on Friday, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), through its federal commissioner, Ahmed Tijani, highlighted the programme‘s goals and its importance to food security in Nigeria.

Tijani, who was represented by a commission director, Fatima Mamman Daura, stated that the program, a collaborative effort between the Refugees Commission, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the private sector represented by PS Agro Masters, seeks to empower IDPs by integrating them into agricultural production.

He explained that traditional leaders in the area have donated farmlands for five years, enabling IDPs and host communities to engage in farming activities.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is providing the necessary inputs for cultivation. At the same time, the NCFRMI is responsible for profiling the IDPs and offering them cash grants to support their labour costs.

“We‘re aiming to restore livelihoods through agriculture, and this program is designed to provide a sustainable means of income for IDPs,” he said. “The private sector partners will also play a crucial role by providing off-takers who purchase the harvested grains, ensuring that the IDPs benefit financially.“

Tijani noted that the first phase of this initiative was launched in Nasarawa State on July 27, 2024. The Plateau State phase covers 150 hectares of land, with 100 hectares allocated in Basa and another 50 hectares in a separate location.

He emphasised that the program is expected to expand to additional states where significant IDP populations are present.

He also mentioned that security for the project is being reinforced through a partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Agro Rangers, who will provide protection where necessary.

“This is just the beginning. We see this as a pilot phase, and we plan to scale up next year, learning from our experiences to better serve the IDP communities,” he added.

Tijani concluded by stating that the project aligns with broader efforts to enhance food security nationwide, offering a dual benefit of supporting displaced persons while contributing to the country‘s agricultural output.

On her part, a 400-level student of French Education at the University of Jos and a beneficiary of the empowerment project, Miss Patience‘s songs stand as a testament to resilience and hope.
Patience noted that she has been displaced for eight years following a violent conflict between Fulani herders and her community in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State.

“I feel happy because, as a result of this program, so many people will have the means to help themselves. There will be a lot of food, and people will have opportunities for employment through this initiative,“ she said.

Even if I‘m occupied with my studies, I can find someone to help me on the farm,“ she added.

She said her journey turned positive when she learned about this new empowerment program for IDPs.