[{"bbox": [88, 106, 388, 136], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 1.2. Summary of the Action"}, {"bbox": [82, 149, 1147, 283], "category": "Text", "text": "The action is the second phase of a broader programme initiated under AAP 2022 with the \"EU Support to Agriculture Value Chain Facility\" (EU-VACE) programme. It links the agri-businesses supported in the first phase with financiers and upgrades the skills of target beneficiaries, such as women and youth to improve their employability. It also introduces innovative farming techniques and establishes policy dialogue with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to promote an enabling agri-business environment."}, {"bbox": [82, 293, 1147, 402], "category": "Text", "text": "Projects under this programme will focus on four components: (i) access to finance for agri- and energy- investments for productive uses (AgriFI-ElectriFI country window), (ii) agri-TVET support (blending loans for infrastructure with grants for skills and curriculum development), (iii) innovative agriculture (using Copernicus/remote sensing for applied agri-climate or geo-location uses), (iv) and twinning with the Ministry of Agriculture."}, {"bbox": [82, 411, 1147, 520], "category": "Text", "text": "In both phases the focus will be on a limited number of value chains. The selection will be based on a series of criteria such as the potential for private sector investments, decent job creation, increased production, food autonomy and security, and capacity to mobilise support from other European partners, in a Team Europe approach. Rice, maize, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish products, livestock and dairy are indicative commodities at this stage."}, {"bbox": [82, 531, 1147, 877], "category": "Text", "text": "Nigeria's agriculture is the sector most vulnerable to climate change, environmental degradation and insecurity. It is also the backbone of the Nigerian economy, providing the main source of livelihood for most Nigerians and contributing to about 22% of the nominal GDP³. More than 70% of Nigerians engage in agricultural production at a subsistence level, agricultural yields and productivity are low⁴. The doubling of the population in the next 30 years points to enormous challenges for food production, raising both, food security concerns, and concerns over increasing conflicts due to limited resources such as land and water. They are furthermore exacerbated by deteriorating climate conditions and widespread environmental degradation. Smallholder farming systems rely on rain-fed agriculture and are highly prone to climate change. The government has addressed these challenges in a number of policy documents: the Nigeria Agriculture Transformation Agenda and Nigeria's Agriculture Promotion Policy introducing sustainable agriculture driven by the private sector; the National Livestock Transformation Plan, already supported by the EU; as well as the Nigeria Digital Agriculture Strategy (NDAS), pointing to the introduction of digital technologies in the sector. The new national agriculture policy, National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) has just been adopted in 2022, covering the period until 2027."}, {"bbox": [82, 887, 1147, 1075], "category": "Text", "text": "This Action is aligned with priorities under the European Green Deal, the EU Industrial Strategy, and \"Farm to Fork\" Strategy as it relates to sustainable food systems and contributes to strategic food autonomy, also reflected in the EU-Nigeria Ministerial Declaration of November 2020. Furthermore, the Action will contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the European Consensus for Development, and in particular SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), ), SDG 5 (gender equality) SDG 8 (good jobs and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 12 (responsible production), and SDG13 (Climate action). It will also contribute to the objectives of the Great Green Wall initiative."}, {"bbox": [82, 1086, 1147, 1194], "category": "Text", "text": "Projects under this action will be implemented in indirect management with the EU Member States, their agencies and European Development Finance Institutions (DFIs); and in direct management (Twinning grant) The choice of partners is dictated by the long-standing cooperation and experience on the ground, expertise and the expert team assembled, and the good cooperation enjoyed with the Nigerian counterparts."}, {"bbox": [82, 1205, 1147, 1313], "category": "Text", "text": "As envisaged in Nigeria's EU Gender Action Plan III, Country Level Implementation Plan⁵, the action will also contribute to the realisation of the EU Gender Action Plan 2021-2025 GAP III, in particular to its thematic area of engagement \"Promoting economic and social rights and empowering girls and women\"; and \"Addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities offered by the green transition\""}, {"bbox": [72, 1589, 630, 1616], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ https://www.fao.org/nigeria/fao-in-nigeria/nigeria-at-a-glance/en/"}, {"bbox": [72, 1615, 583, 1640], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ https://www.statista.com/topics/6729/agriculture-in-nigeria/"}, {"bbox": [72, 1638, 800, 1663], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ Gender Action Plan III 2021-2025. Country Level Implementation Plan-CLIP Nigeria"}, {"bbox": [1051, 1663, 1158, 1687], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 28"}]