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The Federal Government is intensifying its initiatives to improve food and nutrition safety through a strategic partnership with the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel.
This was announced on Tuesday by Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, during a recent courtesy meeting with a CILSS delegation led by Executive Secretary Abdoulaye Mahamadou.
The minister emphasized that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is dedicated to executing the “Renewed Hope Agenda” aimed at enhancing food and nutrition safety by transforming the agricultural sector, modernizing farming techniques, and ensuring national food security.
He outlined various key initiatives, mentioning the ministry's focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, encouraging the growth of biofortified crops like zinc-enriched rice, and utilizing technological innovations such as mechanization to boost productivity.
He noted that increasing food production, availability, affordability, and accessibility remains a primary focus.
Furthermore, the minister emphasized the government's commitment to creating resilient food systems that aid livelihoods and family sustenance, stating, “We are eager to collaborate in enhancing the technical capacities of federal, state, and local government stakeholders and in identifying a sustainable investment model to support resilience.”
Addressing the delegation, Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted that the government is currently evaluating the nation’s readiness to tackle challenges concerning food and nutrition safety.
He underscored the significance of this partnership in reaching long-term food sovereignty for Nigeria.
CILSS Executive Secretary Abdoulaye Mahamadou, in his remarks, reiterated the organization’s commitment to tackling food and nutrition issues in the Sahel and West Africa.
He noted that CILSS aims to enhance the resilience of food systems, monitor nutrition trends, and advocate for sustainable and affordable diets.
Mahamadou added that CILSS collaborates closely with both regional and international partners to promote policies and strategies that ensure safe and nutritious food accessibility across the region, declaring, “CILSS plays a crucial role in combating food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa, striving to enhance resilience, improve food systems, and secure access to safe and nutritious food for the region’s populace.”
