The Federal Government and the United Nations have called for a holistic approach to address food insecurity in Nigeria.
The FG made the call at the Pre-food systems stack-taking moments media engagement on Wednesday in Abuja.
The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the United Nations Information Centre.
On July 13, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, FMFBNP, Nebeolisa Anako, described the food system as the most complicated, adding that the system entails complex networks that include input and output of food production processes and consumption.
Anako said, “This is because the food produced through farming needs to pass through some stages before it goes to the stomach.
“The food system problem has been on transportation of food from the farm looking for seedlings to plant, to the time we plant.”
The Permanent Secretary noted that the FG is working towards reducing hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition.
He noted “When you lack food, you cannot leave nutrition aside. It is about eating healthy food that will give human capita and healthy population.”
“We want to drastically reduce food importation and promote sustainable food trade as a country and we are getting there, this is a project that concerns all of us.”
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ernest Umakhihe, said the call became important for stakeholders in the African sector to ensure food security.
Umakhihe, represented by the Director in charge of Nutrition and Food Safety at the ministry, Sugra Mahmood, noted “As we are all aware, our country is facing a severe crisis in line with the recent declaration on the state of emergency on food security and water by President Bola Tinubu.
“The declaration demands our utmost intention and collective efforts to address the perceived challenges, and explore the prospects of sustainable food security in Nigeria.”
In his remark, the Director of UNIC, Ronald Kayanja, stated “Nigeria is the biggest country in the continent, in terms of population. It is in everybody’s interest to have a well-functioning Nigeria and agriculture is the core of the economy.
“The president’s declaration on an emergency on food security alerts was needed to achieve the desired goal.”
Text except headline courtesy of Punch
