THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (IFAD) IN ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY IN KATSINA STATE: AN ANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract Food production and food security is an indispensable part of national development as any country that sufficiently develops its agricultural sector, to the extent of being self-sufficient in food, is believed to have settled one of the major challenges bedeviling it. This study is conducted to evaluate the impact of the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Katsina State towards increasing food production and ensuring food security. The study uses a multisampling technique in selecting 370 (determined by the Krejcie and Morgan formula) beneficiaries from the nine (9) selected LGAs, in addition to ten (10) officials for an interview. The study’s findings indicate that the International Fund for Agricultural Development contributes immensely to increasing the level of food production by the smallholder farmers, as well as ensuring food security.  It is based on this that the study recommended among others Nigerian Government at all levels should put more effort in encouraging farmers to adopt measures such as crop rotation, using organic fertilizer, application of integrated pest management through intercropping and use of bio pesticides, application of good post-harvest management practices such as proper storage, drying and processing, and application of high-quality seed stock that will further help in boosting food production and ensure subsequent food security.