PSEG Launch: Empowering Stakeholders for Policy-Driven Agricultural Growth in Nigeria – Michigan State University

The Policy Support for Economic Growth (PSEG) Initiative

Introduction

The Policy Support for Economic Growth (PSEG) initiative was officially launched on September 5-6, 2024, with a high-impact stakeholder consultation forum held at the Destination Hotel in Abuja. This initiative is a collaborative effort led by Michigan State University (MSU), in partnership with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and funding from USAID. The forum brought together representatives from six key states, federal ministries, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and private sector partners.

Key Objectives

The PSEG initiative aims to support sustainable economic growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector by promoting evidence-based, impactful policy-making. It seeks to address pressing agricultural challenges and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Forum Highlights

The forum began with opening prayers, emphasizing inclusivity and setting the tone for the event. Distinguished speakers highlighted the importance of building institutional capacities for evidence-based policy-making and the significance of data-driven strategies to address agricultural challenges. The keynote speaker underscored the core values of PSEG, including local ownership and equitable partnerships.

Key Discussions

The forum delved into critical issues affecting the agricultural sector, including the inadequate use of modern technology, gender inclusivity gaps, and the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies. State representatives presented their unique agricultural strengths and challenges, highlighting the need for advanced cold storage facilities, farmer insurance schemes, and better mechanization. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security presented on the Nigeria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), emphasizing the importance of policy coordination and stronger linkages between research and practical implementation.

PSEG Scholars’ Program

The launch of the PSEG initiative also introduced the PSEG Scholars’ Program, which aims to equip young Nigerians with skills in policy research and advocacy. This program aligns with PSEG’s broader goal of promoting sustainable economic growth and resilience through inclusive, data-informed decision-making in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Proposed Actions

The interactive sessions during the forum identified training needs and proposed practical solutions. Discussions focused on climate change mitigation, agricultural export challenges, and the engagement of farmer groups and people with disabilities. Proposed actions included advocating for improved irrigation systems, establishing export hubs, and strengthening community engagement.

Conclusion

The forum concluded with a reflection on the collaborative achievements and future ambitions of PSEG. The slogan, “PSEG na mu ne” (PSEG is for all of us), was highlighted, emphasizing shared responsibility in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural and economic future.

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Contact Information

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses issues related to poverty, hunger, gender equality, economic growth, climate action, and partnerships for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance, and natural resources, in accordance with national laws.
• SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.

The article highlights the need to reduce poverty, increase agricultural productivity and incomes, promote gender equality, support economic growth, strengthen resilience to climate change, and foster partnerships for sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.
• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
• Indicator 5.a.1: (a) Proportion of total agricultural population with ownership or secure rights over agricultural land, by sex; and (b) share of women among owners or rights-bearers of agricultural land, by type of tenure.
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

The article implies the need to measure the proportion of the population living below the poverty line, the volume of agricultural production per labor unit, the ownership rights of women over agricultural land, the proportion of informal employment, the impact of disasters on the population, and the progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: canr.msu.edu