PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AS AN INTERVENTION TOWARDS FOOD

Abstract

By the turn of the millennium, food insecurity became a major development challenge, especially in developing countries. This research sought to explore the potential of publicprivate partnerships (PPPs) as an intervention towards food security in North-Central Nigeria. It focused on ascertaining the possibility of using PPPs as an institutional intervention in pulling investments into post harvest technology, as a way to ensure sustainable levels of food security. This research was an inductive in approach. Twelve (12) key stakeholders identified through judgmental and snowballing sampling methods were interviewed. Analysis of data and interpretation of results obtained were based on the perceptions of stake holders interviewed and the secondary data collated from literature review sources. Qualitative methods and little descriptive statistics in form of percentages and graphs were also used. This research report established that about ninety percent (90%) of the stakeholders showed basic understanding of PPPs as compared to the conceptual notion of PPPs. Seventy-five (75%) of the respondents strongly agree that PPPs is an institutional intervention that can pull investments in post harvest technology as a means towards food security. Eighty percent (80%) viewed PPPs as a welcomed development model and appeared enthusiastic about PPPs. The result showed that the Design-build- Finance and Operate (DBFO) will be most supported by investors in North- Central Nigeria. DBFO was discussed further using the SWOT format. Recommendations on key warnings, suggestion for further research and possible DBFO frame work modalities were proposed