Successful Nigerian applicants to benefit from USAID’s $3m food security grant
![Mechanised farming](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Mechanised-farming.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nigeria says it has launched a COVID-19 Food Security Challenge for $3 million in grant and technical assistance to address food insecurity.
The USAID Mission Director, Dr Anne Patterson, in a statement on Monday in Awka, stated that the gesture would be given to youth-led and mid-stage companies working in food value chains in Nigeria.
The statement also stated that Nigeria was experiencing food insecurity compounded by the COVID-19 global pandemic and its effects on the food value chain in the country.
It stated that the pandemic had disrupted already fragile agricultural value chains, especially smallholder farmers’ ability to produce, process and distribute food.
According to the statement, the pandemic disrupted agricultural productivity and markets and negatively impacts livelihoods, especially among vulnerable households, women, and youth.
“We are launching the COVID-19 Food Security Challenge to help innovative Nigerians to check food insecurity.
“This assistance encourages private sector-led solutions to boost food production, processing and create market linkage along the agriculture value chain in a sustainable way across Nigeria.
“USAID seeks commercially viable youth-led and mid-stage companies already working in food production, processing and distribution to participate in the challenge,” it stated.
Ms Patterson also stated that successful applicants would present ideas that demonstrably helped farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to increase agricultural productivity and food security within the next six months.
She stated that the initiative would award 15 to 25 youth-led companies up to $75,000 each and 10 to 15 mid-stage companies up to $150,000 each.
“Winners will receive funding and technical assistance to rapidly expand their activities to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on Nigeria’s food value chain and improve the resilience of vulnerable households to the negative impacts of the pandemic,” the statement added.
It further announced that applications for the grant would be open from April 12 to May 9.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
![Twitter](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Twitter.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
Education
Twitter to recruit experts of Nigerian languages for its operations in Ghana
Nonetheless, Nigeria’s internet technology space continues to advance speedily.
![Ramadan Crescent](https://i0.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Ramadan-Crescent-.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
Hot news Home top
Ramadan begins on Tuesday, Sultan announces
The daytime fasting month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
![](https://i2.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/President-of-Ghana-Nana-Akufo-Addo.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
Africa
President Akufo-Addo celebrates citing Africa’s first Twitter office in Ghana
“This is the start of a beautiful partnership between Twitter and Ghana, which is critical for the development of Ghana’s hugely important tech sector.”
![Bandits](https://i0.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Banddit.png?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1)
States
Bandits kill five vigilantes, injure many in Niger
A youth leader in the affected community said that the activities of bandits has become a daily occurrence in the LGA as the brigands continue to operate with impunity.
![NAPTIP boss](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/NAPTIP-boss.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
Kano
Kano: NAPTIP rescues 54 victims
The agency received 48 cases and arrested 53 suspects in connection with human trafficking and sexual abuse during the period under review.
![Samuel Aruwan](https://i2.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Samuel-Aruwan.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
States
Kaduna: Two killed, houses burnt in Zango Kataf attack
“According to the report, two persons were killed in the attack – a man and his seven-year-old son.”