Stakeholders converge to address food insecurity in the State; As Kogi state forges ahead on its journey towards a transformed food System.

Stakeholders converge to address food insecurity in the State; 

As Kogi state forges ahead on its journey towards a transformed food system, the Permanent Secretary of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Olajide Samuel has called for unity, collaboration, and innovation which are essential for achieving the critical goal. 

The Permanent Secretary stated this during the one-day stakeholders meeting on the Food System Transformation Pathway in Lokoja. 

The Director of the International Cooperation Department, Mallam Sanni Haruna, who represented the Permanent Secretary, stated in a welcome address, the pressing issue of hunger in the world today. 

The Permanent Secretary noted that even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 40% of the population was living in poverty and added that, the pandemic further exacerbated the situation, plunging many more into vulnerability and poverty. 

He said the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has also contributed to the food insecurity crisis in Nigeria.

Commending the State government for its reforms targeting food security, the Permanent Secretary stressed that insecurity hinders the agricultural sector's ability to produce food for consumption and export. 

He however emphasized the importance of partnering with organizations like the United Nations to address these challenges effectively.

According to him, Nigeria is currently facing numerous challenges and called for a collective effort to ensure food security for all citizens.

He urged stakeholders to streamline the program development process, highlighting the need to rectify faulty procedures that have hindered progress in the past. He said that the program's success would benefit everyone if executed correctly.

In an opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Akin Eneche stressed that the importance of engaging with stakeholders to address food insecurity cannot be overemphasized. 

He said there's a need for active participation from all parties to ensure that the state's agricultural sector can thrive and be a model for others. 

The Ministry of Agriculture, according to Mr Eneche, with the federal government's support, has initiated interventions to boost the production of essential farm produce that is currently lacking in the market.

He further said that the gathering of stakeholders will mark a crucial step towards enhancing food security in Nigeria, with everyone's commitment and collaboration, it is hoped that the state will overcome these challenges and emerge as a leader in agricultural production and food security. 

The State Coordinator of the Food System Transformation Pathway,( FSTP) Mallam Abubakar Musa, while addressing the pressing issue of the food crisis during a comprehensive overview, highlighted the urgency of the situation not only in Nigeria but across the world. 

He said poverty, hunger, malnutrition, disease, unemployment, and conflict are all intricately linked to food availability, the Nigerian government is ramping up efforts to mitigate these challenges.

He disclosed that the government's increased investment in agriculture reflects its determination to tackle the root causes of food insecurity.

Admitting the interconnection between poverty, unemployment, and societal issues, the Food System Transformation Pathway aims to reduce poverty and foster economic growth through sustainable food practices.

A crucial step in this mission is Nigeria's participation in the United Nations Food Systems Summit in September 2021, where over 125 countries united to discuss strategies for addressing global food challenges. This gathering according to Mallam Abubakar, culminated in the development of the National Food System Transformation Pathway, a strategic blueprint aimed at transforming Nigeria's food system by 2030.

In preparation for this transformative journey, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning spearheaded a series of dialogues involving over 4,000 stakeholders. 

The resulting strategy, the National Food System Transformation Pathway, was officially launched in 2022 to drive Nigeria's food system evolution.

The state coordinator also disclosed that In Abuja, a stakeholders' meeting showcased the state's contributions to the national endeavor, with the Vice President leading the charge to Rome, Notably, the state's achievements were recognized globally, solidifying its place on the world stage.

The objectives of the NFSTP by 2030 are ambitious and essential for Nigeria's future sustainability:

- To reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition

- Decrease unemployment rates

- Alleviate poverty

- Reduce food imports and promote sustainable agriculture

- Enhance women's empowerment

- Improve environmental performance indices

Together, we can build a more vibrant, secure, and sustainable food future for all citizens.

Princess Funsho Sumanu

Public Relations Officer 

Min. Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning.