Government Auditing Of The National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) And Its Impact On The Programme’s Efficiency And Effectiveness IN KATSINA

Government Auditing Of The National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) And Its Impact On The Programme’s Efficiency And Effectiveness In Katsina

First Chapter

Introduction

1.1 Context Of The Experiment

In developing countries, agriculture is a vital driver of development and progress. Despite this, approximately 925 million people worldwide, including 235 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, are affected by chronic starvation and malnutrition (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2013). Achieving food security, enhancing nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture are all goals of United Nations Goal 2 by 2030. Thus, sustainable development will be strengthened (FAO, 2010; FAO, 2013).

The World Food Programme (2005) defines malnutrition as “a condition in which a person’s physical function is so impaired that he or she can no longer support adequate body performance processes such as growth, pregnancy, and breastfeeding” Especially in infants and children under the age of five, it causes disability, illness, and mortality.

Malnutrition in children typically begins before conception and is linked to poverty, a lack of education, and a lack of access to health services, including reproductive health and family planning (International Food Policy Research Institute, 2014). It affects all groups in a society, but infants, young children, and pregnant women are particularly susceptible due to their high nutritional requirements for growth and development (World Health Organization, 2005).

Malnutrition is prevalent in developing nations such as Nigeria (DHS, 2013), and its causes include low income resulting in low purchasing power for adequate food, lack of access to nutritious foods, lack of awareness regarding the importance of proper nutrition, and poor food quality due to contamination with agrochemicals (pesticides), biochemicals (e.g. aflatoxins), or pests and diseases. Nigeria was ranked forty out of seventy-nine nations on the Global Hunger Index (GHI), which, along with rising food prices, malnutrition, and mortality due to pervasive poverty, demonstrates the country’s widespread food insecurity and malnutrition.

Several programs have been implemented to resolve this issue in the past. The National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, was established in 2002; the National Special Program on Food Security, NSPFS, was established in 2002; the National Food Crisis Response Program, Food Security Thematic Group, was established in 2009; the Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement was established in 2011, the Global Nutrition for Growth Compact was established in 2013, and the Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN) was established in 2014. (Okolo, 2009). Nonetheless, nutritional security has not been achieved, especially among vulnerable adolescents in rural areas. This is due to the numerous challenges encountered during the implementation and execution phases of these applications.

1.2 Syntax Of The Problem

The National Home Growing Feeding Program was established in 2016 to address the issue of malnutrition, particularly in rural areas. The initiative focuses predominantly on providing food to schoolchildren (Akanbi and Alayande, 2017) to reduce micronutrient malnutrition while also promoting education, health, and agricultural community development (WFP, 2017). Bauchi, Edo, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Kano, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Yobe, and Osun were among the twelve states in the six geopolitical zones where the initiative was initiated.

Audits or inspections conducted by the government on this program may increase its efficiency. Regarding this particular topic, no research has been conducted.

1.3 Purpose Of The Examination

This study’s primary objective is to ascertain the effect of government auditing on the effectiveness and efficiency of the NHGSFP. Consequently, the subsequent goals;

To determine whether NHSFP is subject to periodic audits.

Determine if auditing by the government has contributed to the efficacy and efficiency of the NHSFP program.

Determine the obstacles faced by government auditors during NHGSFP program audits.

1.4 Research Questions

This investigation is driven by the following questions:

Does the government conduct periodic audits of the NHSFP?

Has auditing by the government improved the efficacy and efficiency of the NHSFP program?

What obstacles does the government face when conducting an audit of the NHGSFP program?

1.5 Significance Of The Experience

This study will be significant to the government because it will highlight the need for a government audit of the implementation of this program, not only in Katsina state but also in other Nigerian states. As no prior research has been conducted on this topic, this study will also contribute to the literature.

1.6 Radius Of Examination

This research will be limited to Katsina state. This report will only address the effects of the government auditing the implementation of this program.

1.7 Limitation Of The Study

During the duration of this study, the researcher was unable to conduct more extensive research due to a lack of available funds.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

Government auditing concentrates on enhancing the delivery of programs and services by governments.