Qatar Charity food security programme benefits 800000 in Niger

5/4/2016 9:52:23 PM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Qatar Charity representatives with farmers in a farm cultivated under the food security programme in Niger.

DOHA: Some 800000 needy people have benefited from a food security programme implemented by Qatar Charity (QC) in Niger for nearly a decade.

The programme was launched in 2007 to establish income-generating projects for poor people suffering due to food shortages due to difficulties in the fields of agriculture and ranching; and other projects to support them. It came in response to a call by a Donors Forum in January 2007 in Doha said a statement.

“The programme implemented eight years ago in Niger continues” said Faisal Al Fahida CEO Operations Management QC. “Niger is suffering due to food crisis because of the heat waves and agricultural problems.”

QC worked to provide modern methods of farming to output and guide farmers in the best ways of farming. The programme achieves food security through two ways — by providing modern techniques and equipment for farming and ranching and offering training to farmers and following up with their work to increase output. Large quantities of fertilisers were also distributed.

Eighty percent Nigerians depend on farming for livelihood especially in rural areas. QC’s support helped improve living standards of a large number of poor people. The programme began with eight villages in Dosso and Tillaberi areas and is now covering 200 villages.

Income-generating projects were set up with the help of interest-free loan programme.

The programme established banks for grains and windmills; provided vehicles for transportation and focused on Dosso Tillaberi Tawa and Niamey areas due to dense population and high rate of poverty.

QC also provided huge quantities of seeds and introduced new verities and as a result production doubled and helped meet the growing demand of food. So far 159 grain banks have been established 667836 people benefited; 36 windmills built benefiting 281681 people; and 197 areas provided with seeds manure and agricultural equipment benefiting 110645 people. More than 115000 people benefited from the cattle and sheep breading projects. Some 54 training courses were held on modern farming techniques and ways to run projects. A total of 1420 trainees attended.

The Peninsula

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