LIFE-ND Secures $32m Additional Funding, Records 95% Loan Disbursement

The Livelihood Improvement and Family Enterprises Project in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has secured an additional $32 million in funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), leading to a 95 percent disbursement of the original IFAD loan. This expands the deployment of digital and AI-powered agricultural advisory services as the project enters its sixth Joint Supervision Mission.

The project, launched in 2019, aims to improve rural livelihoods and economic conditions in the Niger Delta, where agriculture remains a primary source of income for many. By 2023, LIFE-ND plans to develop mature enterprises that will serve as incubators for 38,250 apprentices, with 25,500 of these apprentices anticipated to come from six IFAD-funded states.

The project's innovative approach involves partnering with established agribusinesses to provide practical training and mentorship for young people and women entering the agricultural sector. As of now, 74% of participating households have increased agricultural production, and 82.8% have adopted improved agricultural technologies.

Additionally, the project has expanded to include nutrition and social inclusion interventions, with 135% of the original target reached in terms of participation. The project has also undergone a rating of "moderately satisfactory" following its fifth Supervision Mission, indicating encouraging progress while identifying areas for further attention.