The federal Minsitry of Finance, Budget and National planning in collaboration with Anambra ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and ministry of Agriculture in support with WFP, FAO, IFAD, GAIN, ADRA have deliberated on implementation q on food system transformation pathways in Nigeria.
News Echo reports that the workshop which took place recently in Awka had twelve southern states participants from the ministries, WFP, FAO, IFAD, GAIN, AGRA representatives and facilitators in attendance.
Speaking during the workshop, National Convenor UNFST, Dr S.O Faniran noted that Presently, food system in Nigeria mostly provide food that are expensive, unsafe, and unhealthy. Thus hunger and malnutrition have been increasing. The rising hunger is affecting health, nutrition, education and wellbeing, specifically for women and children.
He noted that the essence of the workshop was to discuss way forward for the national implementation strategy in order to produce a national document which related with the people and would be easily implementable.
In her remark, Hon Commissioner for Budget and Economic planning, Anambra state Ms Chiamaka Nnaka, said the workshop was an avenue to tackle the challenges of food chain system in the country.
“In Anambra, we understand the critical role that food systems can play in supporting the growth of our economy and the livelihood of Anambra people.
“We expect that these initiatives will cause a significant reduction in the number of people without access to food, decline in food-related disease, and improve the livelihoods of people,” she said.
Mrs Nnake however lauded the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning for the proactive approach to the 78 priority actions presented by President Muhammed Buhari at the UN Food Systems Summit in New York in September 2021.
In his speech, Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, disclosed that the food systems transformation agenda as an ambitious plan aimed at transforming global food production and consumption systems.
The Commissioner, said the programme, if carried through, would ensure sustainable food security, improved nutrition, and economic development while also protecting the environment.
However, the workshop equally recieved comments, observations and questions from the participants.
Meanwhile, reports and updates on activities on the transformation pathways implementation progress by Southwest, Southeast, and Southsouth representatives.
Others who attended the workshop were, PS-Budget and National Planning, FMBNP- Engr Nebolisa Anako, Lagos Good Bank Rep, Mr Michael Sunbola, Esomchi foods-Mr Ayoade Oluwafemi Fadoju, among others.
