By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal government has restated its commitment to improving Nigeria’s food security, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu has announced.
The Minister who stated this at the 2023 edition of the Nigeria Nutrition Week, Media Sensitisation on Food and Nutrition Security in Abuja onThursday, said the challenges posed by climatic change are formidable.
Represented by the Director of Social Development in the Ministry, Dr Sanjo Faniran, Bagudu said that the Tinubu-led administration would implement a multi-faceted approach to food security that would ensure sustainable agriculture practices, climate-smart technologies, and social protection programmes.
“This is in recognition of the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation strategies that will safeguard our food systems and enhance the nutritional well-being of our people,” stated the minister. “As part of our commitment in the just concluded COP28 in Dubai, the government of Nigeria is prioritising the development and adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.”
Mr Bagudu added, “This will include the promotion of resilient crop varieties, efficient irrigation systems, agroforestry, and sustainable land management techniques. This is envisaged to enhance the resilience of our agricultural systems and ensure a steady supply of nutritious food to the greater number of our citizenry.”
“As you already know that Nigeria as a nation is highly dependent on agriculture for livelihoods, food security, and economic growth. However, climate change poses significant challenges to our agricultural systems, including unpredictable rainfall patterns, increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, and the spread of pests and diseases.
“All of these affect crop yields, livestock productivity, and the overall availability of food with attendant negative consequences on the nutritional status of the vulnerable group, particularly women and children,” the minister said.
Mr Bagudu also explained that the federal government would adopt all the recommendations advanced during COP28 to mitigate the effect of the prevailing climate change. READ ALSO:
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Earlier in her presentation, Mrs Chito Nelson, Deputy Director in Ministry’s Food Nutrition Department said the sensitization was organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria with a view to creating awareness through the Media on the importance of nutrition to the wellbeing of the citizens.
According to her, food security “is when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life”.
Mrs Nelson warned that “by 2050 the risk of hunger and malnutrition could rise by 20 percent if the global community fails to act now”.
