By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has disclosed that the alignment of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF-8) initiative with Nigeria’s 2022-2027 National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) geared towards transforming Nigeria’s food systems.
He made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing attendees at the inception for the Project Preparation Phase of the GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Programme, held at the Johnwood Hotel.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Salako said: “This programme promotes sustainable, regenerative, and nature-positive food systems that are crucial for addressing contemporary agricultural challenges.”
He acknowledged the workshop’s role in uniting stakeholders amid pressing national and global crises, including climate change, resource degradation, and food insecurity.
The minister warned that without a balance between food production and environmental preservation, achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, which aims for zero hunger by 2030, is at risk.
He released statistics, that pointed out that agriculture accounts for 90% of global deforestation and significantly contributes to freshwater biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions.
Salako stressed the importance of transitioning to sustainable practices to secure food production against the backdrop of growing malnutrition and climate impacts.
“Unstable and unsustainable food systems lead to malnutrition, food insecurity, and migration.
“We must enhance the resilience of our agricultural practices by leveraging innovation and digitization,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister outlined the Federal Ministry of Environment’s commitment to climate-smart agricultural techniques and ecosystem resilience.
He noted that the strategies are essential to address the simultaneous challenges of insecurity, economic downturn, and environmental degradation faced by the nation.
He called for collective action among all stakeholders, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and international development partners.
“We must work collaboratively to innovate our food systems, enhance sustainability, and improve food production quality and quantity,” he said.
The GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Programme represents a concerted effort to revamp Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, promoting practices that sustain both the economy and the environment for future generations.
The workshop serves as a launching pad for further discussions and strategies aimed at achieving a just and sustainable food system.