Germany, WFP to Empower Over 6,000 Farming Households In Yobe State

News in Brief:

-Over 6,000 Yobe households to receive farm inputs, processing equipment, and training to boost income and resilience.

-Project partners include BMZ (Germany), WFP, UNICEF, and CARE Nigeria, targeting sustainable livelihoods and food security.

In a major step toward rebuilding lives and livelihoods in Nigeria’s North-East, the German Government, through its Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the World Food Programme (WFP), and CARE Nigeria, has launched an ambitious agricultural empowerment initiative aimed at supporting 6,389 households in Yobe State.

The initiative, known as the Resilience and Social Cohesion (Peace) Project, seeks to strengthen food security, enhance income generation, and promote long-term stability among vulnerable communities affected by conflict and climate change.

A Project Designed for Impact

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Damaturu, Yobe State, Abatcha Abubakar, Area Manager for CARE Nigeria, explained that the project will provide participating households with agricultural inputs, crop-processing machines, and financial stipends to help them rebuild their livelihoods.

“This project will not only support farmers to increase productivity but also help them diversify their sources of income and become more self-sufficient,” he said.

Funded by Germany’s BMZ, the initiative is being implemented in partnership with WFP, UNICEF, and CARE Nigeria. It aims to improve the productivity and revenue of smallholder farmers while enhancing the economic status of over 31,000 individuals in Yobe.

Targeting Vulnerable Communities in Jakusko

The programme focuses on five wards in Jakusko Local Government Area, where many households have been affected by years of insecurity and poor access to financial services. It will train beneficiaries on sustainable farming practices and financial inclusion mechanisms through the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model.

"We are implementing crop production initiatives that group project participants together and provide them with seeds and tools to strengthen their resilience. Beyond farming, we are supporting Income Generating Activities (IGAs) by equipping groups with agro-processing machines so they can earn income from value addition,” Abubakar added in his statement.

Empowering Women and Strengthening Food Systems

A key component of the project is the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model, which empowers women to pool their resources, save regularly, and access loans to expand their businesses. This community-based approach has proven effective globally in reducing poverty and fostering financial independence among rural women.

Abubakar noted that the project will distribute improved seeds for staple crops, including maize, groundnuts, and rice, while promoting vegetable gardening to enhance nutrition and food diversity. “We are encouraging households to grow vegetables in backyard gardens to improve their diets and prevent food insecurity,” he said.

Additionally, selected households will receive monthly stipends for six months to stabilise their income while adjusting to the new livelihood activities. Warehouses are also being constructed to support storage and reduce post-harvest losses.

WFP’s Commitment to Sustainable Livelihoods

The Head of the World Food Programme Sub-Office in Damaturu, Mr Owen Maganga, reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to supporting farmers in rebuilding their livelihoods and achieving food self-sufficiency.

“We are determined to help communities in Yobe and across the North-East move beyond food assistance to sustainable agricultural production. Our focus is on building resilience so that families can feed themselves and contribute to their local economies,” Maganga said.

Why It Matters

Yobe, one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable states, has faced years of conflict and environmental degradation, leaving many families dependent on aid. Programmes like this offer a pathway toward self-reliance, food security, and social stability, particularly for women and youth who play key roles in community recovery.

With coordinated support from international partners, the initiative signals a shift from relief to resilience, giving smallholder farmers the tools they need to thrive again.