[{"bbox": [83, 104, 1147, 158], "category": "List-item", "text": "5. Introduction of nature-based agricultural measures reducing climate change vulnerability, enhancing biodiversity and combating deforestation and desertification."}, {"bbox": [83, 170, 1147, 304], "category": "Text", "text": "This output area will support climate adaptation and mitigation measures. It will facilitate introduction of innovative solutions in addressing climate change and environmental degradation, enhancing biodiversity and combating deforestation and desertification; integrated pest-management solutions; clean charcoal production and cooking; non-timber forest products; improved livestock feeding and breeding solutions for the reduction of methane emissions; clean energy transition; etc."}, {"bbox": [83, 315, 1147, 476], "category": "Text", "text": "The action will build on the experience of the Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP) implemented by GIZ and co-funded by the EU and BMZ (2018-2023). The implementation modality of this Action will be indirect management with an EU Member State specialised development agency, the GIZ, based on a contribution agreement and with co-financing from the German Government, BMZ. The choice of partner is dictated by the long-standing cooperation with GIZ on the ground, including on the development of agricultural value chains, the expertise developed, the expert team assembled, and the good cooperation enjoyed with the Nigerian counterparts."}, {"bbox": [72, 502, 301, 536], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2. RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [87, 566, 220, 594], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### 2.1. Context"}, {"bbox": [83, 615, 1150, 829], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action is guided by the geopolitical priorities of the EU as well as Nigeria's development plans. Providing better prospects for a predominantly young population is a vital priority. It is also aligned with the jobs and growth priority and the external dimension of the EU Green Deal strategy, the 2018 Communication on a new Africa - Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs⁵, as well as with the 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development⁶ and the European Consensus for Development⁷. This Action is also aligned with priorities under the EU Industrial Strategy⁸, and “Farm to Fork” Strategy⁹ as it relates to sustainable food systems and strategic food autonomy. It will implement the objectives of the Global Gateway¹⁰ by promoting and facilitating investments in agricultural infrastructure and will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Great Green Wall initiative."}, {"bbox": [83, 834, 1147, 1100], "category": "Text", "text": "With an estimated population of 211 million in 2021 and 400+ million by 2050, Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa with over 60% of the population under the age of 25. Nigeria is also Africa's leading economy with a wealth of natural resources as well as a thriving entrepreneurial culture and creative industries. Yet, the country is confronted with numerous political, socio-economic, environmental, and severe security challenges. The World Bank estimates that some 7 million more people have fallen into poverty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding the rebounding of the economy, according to the IMF and other sources, per capita incomes continue to decline, while high inflation (of around 15.5%, down from over 18% in 2021) is reducing Nigerians' purchasing power. Meanwhile, public resources to tackle the crisis remain extremely limited. Nigeria's revenue-to-GDP ratio stands at 7.5%, pointing to a very low revenue generation, while the debt to revenue ratio has soared above 90% as a result of increased borrowing during the pandemic."}, {"bbox": [83, 1111, 1147, 1405], "category": "Text", "text": "Delivering competitiveness and inclusive growth in the agricultural and industrial sectors is critical to Nigeria's economic stability and security. Currently agricultural yields are low and value addition and processing activities minimal. Sources, including UN FAO, point to low agricultural productivity. Agricultural production increases of 2.5% per annum do not match the attendant population growth of 2.6%, fuelling food insecurity. In addition, the agricultural sector is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, environmental degradation and insecurity. Agro-processing is hampered by low investments and competition with imports. Smallholder farmers make up over 80% of all Nigerian farmers, and notably, women constitute an estimated 70-80% of the agricultural labour force. Lack of decent jobs in the sector is an important factor fuelling insecurity, the youth outflow to precarious jobs in the cities, and eventually irregular migration. The urgency to address the precarious food situation in Nigeria is exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and the related soaring of food prices¹¹ with disruptive impact for food importing countries such as Nigeria."}, {"bbox": [72, 1494, 549, 1518], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ EUR-Lex - 52018DC0643 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)"}, {"bbox": [72, 1518, 765, 1543], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ The Sustainable Development Agenda - United Nations Sustainable Development"}, {"bbox": [72, 1543, 502, 1566], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁷ European Consensus on Development (europa.eu)"}, {"bbox": [72, 1566, 624, 1591], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁸ European industrial strategy | European Commission (europa.eu)"}, {"bbox": [72, 1591, 544, 1615], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁹ f2f action-plan 2020 strategy-info_en.pdf (europa.eu)"}, {"bbox": [72, 1615, 531, 1640], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹⁰ Global Gateway | European Commission (europa.eu)"}, {"bbox": [72, 1639, 317, 1661], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹¹ UN FAO Food Price Index"}, {"bbox": [1051, 1663, 1158, 1687], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 23"}]