In a bid to achieve food security, Federal Government has called for stronger partnership with the United Nations to address the pressing challenges of food insecurity, climate change amongst others that pose as significant threats to the Nation’s Development.
Speaking during the visit by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Amina Mohammad, GCON, to his office in Abuja recently, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, stated that Nigeria’s partnership with United Nations was critical to meet the attendant huge consumption demand in the immediate and long-term plan of action.
He added that the visit was expected to strengthen the existing cooperation between Nigeria and the UN to pave the way for new partnerships aimed at sustainable development.
Sen Kyari pointed out that the Ministry was totally committed to providing the desired policy direction to steer the agriculture and food security sector, adding that the Ministry’s mandate was aligned towards the attainment of the key priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point Agenda.
He noted that Nigeria has a long-standing history of cooperation with some of the UN agencies across various sectors, including agriculture such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), amongst others with notable success stories.
He maintained that these bodies had been working as key development partners with Nigeria since 1960 to achieve sustainable food systems pathway in delivering and establishing a robust cooperation for formidable agricultural collaboration with the UN.
According to the Minister, “Nigeria has been working with these International partners and paying statutory contributions and counterpart funds to FAO, IFAD, UNDP, UNIDO, ILO, WFP, IOM, among others with a view to increasing food production and encourage multilateral institutions to support the Nigerian food system resilience with sustainable interventions in the agriculture sector”.
“The UN through the UNICEF is providing support to the Nigerian food and nutrition security agenda, notably, by fortification of food crops (vitamins, anti-bodies etc) with a view to mitigating stunted growth, malnourishment and other infant nutrient deficiencies”.
He emphasized that agriculture plays a pivotal role in the economy and food system governance which necessitated the joining of the UN Food Security (Call to Action) to affirm the shared desire for a strong and prosperous partnerships as well as discuss critical issues facing world’s agricultural development.
The Minister added that the UN agencies had over the years provided technical assistance in ensuring food systems and nutrition security in Nigeria, noting that the Ministry would appreciate further support on the Value Chain Development Programme.
He further stated that UN Deputy Secretary-General’s visit was timely and apt, which would help create a paradigm shift that would further improve the agricultural sector.
In her remarks, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Amina Mohammad, GCON, emphasized the need to modernize Nigeria’s agriculture sector, calling for greater investment in green energy and digital technologies.
She noted that these innovations would make farming a more attractive and sustainable profession, especially for the teeming youth.
Dr. Mohammad, therefore, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in achieving food security and promoting regional stability.
Eremah Anthonia (Mrs.)
Chief Information Officer
For: Director Information
