In a bid to enhance food and nutrition security across Nigeria, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, has affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and various stakeholders.
This partnership aims to address critical concerns such as food security, post-harvest losses, and malnutrition.
The announcement was made through a press statement issued on Friday by the Chief Information Officer of the Ministry, Eremah Anthonia.
During a recent courtesy visit to the Ministry’s office by the Country Director of GAIN, Dr. Micheal Ojo, in Abuja, Sen. Abubakar Kyari highlighted the importance of food security as a key focus area within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The agenda places significant emphasis on agriculture, food security, and good nutrition for the Nigerian populace.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari conveyed, “We were given the mandate to ensure that the country is food secured, and we are ready to collaborate with partners to ensure its actualization and sustainability.”
The Minister stressed the current threats to food security, particularly issues of availability and affordability.
He emphasized the necessity of addressing malnutrition and rising food inflation rates by working diligently throughout the year to boost food production.
The goal is to make food accessible, affordable, and nutritionally balanced on a sustainable basis.
Recognizing the underlying challenges, Sen. Abubakar Kyari called for innovative and trending solutions to ensure a resilient food security framework.
He encouraged the active participation of GAIN and other stakeholders in the upcoming Agricultural Summit, urging them to contribute to a practical and sustainable document for the benefit of the populace.
In response, Dr. Micheal Ojo, the Country Director of GAIN, acknowledged the fruitful relationship the organization has had with the Ministry and expressed hope for its continuation to revolutionize the country’s food system.
Dr. Ojo highlighted the critical challenge of Food and Nutrition affecting a majority of Nigerians, emphasizing GAIN’s goal to deliver a healthy diet to over 25% of the population, including Nigeria.
Collaboration with the Ministry in improving food value chains such as maize, rice, and cassava was also emphasized.
In a related meeting, the Minister welcomed a delegation from Anhui Huayun Biotech Co. Ltd., led by the Managing Director, Mr. Wang Yun.
Mr. Yun pledged support to Nigeria in the areas of agriculture mechanization and irrigation systems, including solar pumps, to effectively tackle the challenges of food insecurity in the country.
