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Since early 2002, IFDC has been undertaking a USAID-funded Developing Agri-Input Markets in Nigeria (DAIMINA) project. This project is being conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD). Project activities include dialogue on policy reforms and regulations, private sector capacity building in agricultural input marketing, and strengthening of market information services.
Private sector capacity building was initiated in 20 selected markets in Kano and Oyo states and was later extended to another 20 markets in Bauchi and Abuja.The efforts of DAIMINA have resulted in the development of a strong input supply chain, revision and amendment of fertilizer and seed laws, and strengthening of the market information services. A significant improvement in input supply and fertilizer retail prices has shown a downward trend through competitive business practices of trained agricultural input dealers.
....As a market-friendly alternative to direct subsidy, IFDC—in collaboration with FAO’s Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Special Programme on Food Security Project (SPFS)—launched the fertilizer voucher scheme in May 2004 in seven SPFS sites. Initial response is encouraging and shows potential for expansion.
Where the USA has been successful, we need to reflect on the quality of life we have brought the citizens of other countries, being very, very careful to raise standards of environmental safety. It is surprising to me that Nigeria is an ally to the USA at all. Big Oil has killed citizens and destroyed villages through false incentives to the country's national military. It was only a few months ago when citizens kidnapped company personnel believed to cause harm to Nigerians, their ecosystems and their river, esturary and ocean food supplies.
Efforts like this need to accompanied by Peacekeepers that insure justice is practiced while defeating corporate corruption leading to the deaths of citizens. In this instance, fertilizers are a fine start as well as improved farming practices accompanied by microinvestment, however, are we sure the species of produce aren't adverse to the ecosystems of Africa, adverse to water run off with potential water quality issues and practices whereby fertilizers lead to salination of land and soil erosion. If measures are overlooked to protect 'the truth' these citizens have in these measures we will be 'set back' in our diplomacy rather than advanced and then everyone loses while suspision and superstitions return.
Challenges to established and benevolent leadership exists within the defintion of threat as trust slips away and the international community questions it's previous decisions when USA policy was benevolent and correct. The turmoil that mistrust breeds has to end. In all relationships the highest of standards including environmental laws and child labor has to be upheld. As investors to the stability of a global community there should be every effort to safeguard international relationships at all levels.
The advancement of democracy cannot coexist with corruption.
Violence on the eve of Nigerian elections
Tensions flared in Nigeria today, a day before key national elections, after unidentified gunmen shot dead a hardline Muslim scholar and government critic while he was at prayer in a mosque in the northern city of Kano.
It was not immediately clear if the assassination was linked to tomorrow’s first round of general elections in the vast African country or was the result of a feud between rival sects in the largely Islamic north who have differed bitterly over attempts to impose Sharia law.
Gunmen who burst into the mosque mowed down Sheikh Jafar Adam, a Wahhabi cleric, and two other members of the congregation, police said. Witnesses said the Saudi-educated cleric was shot five times at close range at the Dorayi Central Mosque and died of his wounds before reaching hospital. He was buried today.
The death came as President Olusegun Obasanjo warned the government would “deal firmly” with acts of fraud and violence in the elections. The polls have been dogged for months by bitter infighting and accusations of attempts to organise vote rigging.
