FOOD AND AGRIC ORGANISATION IN NIGERIA

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was founded in 1945 with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity, and to better the condition of rural populations. As an intergovernmental organization, FAO is one of the largest specialized agencies in the United Nations System and the lead agency for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development. The Nigeria Government, through letter No: AGRS.15/S.6/X/2 of 23 November 1977 accepted FAO Director-General’s proposal and agreed for FAO to establish a substantive Representation office in Lagos. The Country Representation office moved to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, in 1997 and is now within the United Nations House in Abuja that also accommodates other UN agencies. The FAO Representation in Nigeria facilitates efforts to ensure and improve food security and reduce poverty on an economically and environmentally sustainable basis. On 4 May, 2001 in Abuja, FAO signed an agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide the technical assistance required for the smooth running of the expansion phase of Nigeria’s National Programme for Food Security (NPFS), covering 327 sites (tripling the initial 109 sites of the first phase). FAO continues to support the NPFS by availing the Government and people of Nigeria with the best expert managerial and technical advice, including the framework of Technical Cooperation among Developing countries (TCDC) and South-South Cooperation (SSC). FAO in Nigeria serves as a forum for knowledge and information sharing. We help to improve agriculture, working also with allied institutions with the aim of ensuring good nutrition for all. The FAO Representative in Nigeria, as the ambassador of the Director-General with the entire International and Local staff team, develops and maintains relations with the Government and other institutions in the country in fulfilling FAO's mandate. The FAO Representative also networks with the United Nations' Country Team in Nigeria. Together with the UN Country Team the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF II) is being implemented in selected pilot States in Nigeria. FAO has maintained very good relationships with donor agencies and development partners in Nigeria, especially those engaged in agriculture, food security and control of trans-boundary animal diseases. The Food Security Theme Group anchored by FAO and supported by the IFAD country office in Nigeria, brings these partners together bi-monthly to deliberate and share information on food security issues. The outcome forms development and advocacy advice which is presented to Government.