The Federal Government has restated its dedication to promoting Operation Feed Yourself, aiming to assist households in obtaining the necessary resources and information to cultivate food around their
homes for family sustenance.
Engr. Nebeolisa Anako, the Permanent Secretary of Budget and National Planning, delivered this message on Monday, during a retreat attended by Zonal Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and Management Staff of the Budget and National Planning branches of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The retreat focused on implementing the Food Systems Transformation Pathways in Nigeria and
took place at Uzanu Farm in Etsako East LGA, Edo State.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Gloria Ahmed, a Director in the Ministry, highlighted that the Federal Government, through NiMet and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), regularly gathers and disseminates weather and soil information, as well as best practices for crop, livestock, aquaculture, and poultry production, using platforms such as radio.
Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary emphasized the establishment of farm settlements/estates by the states, comprising smallholder producers, including women and youths. These settlements facilitate increased input supply, machinery hire, extension services, market access, and the provision of basic amenities such as internet connectivity to discourage rural to urban migration.
The primary objective of the retreat was to promote a coordinated approach to implementing food systems transformation pathways and to generate ideas for Nigeria’s successful participation in the upcoming Stock Taking Session (STS) in Rome, scheduled for July 24th to 26th, 2023.
Anako’s statement from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning mentioned the production of the 2023 Action Plan, which includes ten implementable activities aligned with the pathways, including the
low-hanging fruits from 2022.
He further explained that the Task Team was collaborating with the Technical Working Group (TWG) of stakeholder Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the federal level to develop a comprehensive costed Implementation Strategy and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for all priority actions within the pathway.
The Strategy document received inputs from all states to ensure inclusivity before
finalization. The 2023 Action Plan aimed to ensure continuity from the.previous year’s programs and enable the production of a Country Report ahead of the global stocktaking event in Rome in July 2023.
Anako emphasized the need for collective commitment to sustain Nigeria’s dedication to transforming food systems, aligning with the National Development Plan 2021-2023, Nigeria Agenda 2050, African Union Agenda 2063, and UN Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030.
During the retreat, Prince Clem Agba, the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, emphasized that the concept of the “Food System” extended beyond food production to encompass processing, transportation, and consumption.
He stressed the importance of growing a sustainable system that ensures the availability of nutritious and healthy food for the population. Agba also urged Nigerian youth to change their perception of farming, emphasizing that farmers are among the wealthiest individuals globally and that engaging in farming, regardless of scale, contributes significantly to food security.
Dr. Sanjo Faniran, the National Convener, justified the necessity of food systems transformation in Nigeria by highlighting the
insufficient national supply of nutritious food, leading to high rates of malnutrition, particularly among children under two years of age and women.
He expressed the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for youth, women, and vulnerable groups interested in agriculture and food systems.
Faniran advocated for an integrated approach to food systems in farm estates, encompassing planting, logistics, and nutrition components, while also encouraging urban residents to utilize their backyards for food production.