Reduce Hunger, Malnutrition & Poverty |
The United States (US) has targeted twelve countries of the
world including Nigeria to reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition using the
Global Food Security Act as strategies to achieve this as plans are already
under way. This was contained in a statement signed by Jana.T Sweeny,
Development Outreach and Communication specialist.
The other beneficiaries’ countries are Ethiopia, Kenya,
Uganda, Senegal, Niger, Mali, Ghana, Honduras, Guatemala, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Already in Nigeria, preparation to achieve this may have
begun according to the tune of a press release made available to Food Farm News
stating that a two day workshop had been held in Lagos, Kano and Abuja last
October towards articulating the best strategic approach to be deplored through
inclusive and shared experiences from larger stakeholders including the media.
In view of the increasing population in the country as speculated
by opinions, participants at the Abuja end of the workshop hailed the U.S
Agency for International Development (USAID), the organizer of the interactive
forum saying support to food security by American government would go a long
way in mitigating hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria.
The content of the press release which was made available to
us reads thus “The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) convened a
broad spectrum of agricultural stakeholders to develop a shared vision for
development of the sector under the U.S. government’s new Global Food Security
Strategy. The U.S. Global Food Security Act authorizes a comprehensive,
strategic approach for U.S. foreign assistance to reduce global poverty,
hunger, and malnutrition in 12 target countries, including Nigeria”
“In two-day workshops held in Lagos, Kano, and Abuja from
September 26 to October 11, some 180 participants examined the past, present,
and future of agricultural and nutrition developments in the country;
identified common objectives, and developed action plans to develop agriculture
in Nigeria under the new strategy. Representatives came from academia,
community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, financial
institutions, value chain actors, agriculture and nutrition-related
associations, government agencies, donor agencies, and media.
With these workshops, the United States
has demonstrated its commitment to helping develop agriculture into a more
diversified, inclusive and dynamic driver of economic development in Nigeria,”
said Roseann Casey, USAID/Nigeria Director of Economic Growth and
Environment.
Participants discussed key issues
including access to finance for farmers and other value chain actors,
particularly women and youth. Discussions addressed the need to
strengthen market systems and value chains and improve access to agricultural
inputs and training for farmer. They also highlighted the importance of
making healthy and nutritious food available and accessible, especially for
lactating and pregnant mothers and children. Results from the consultative
workshops will inform a new food security country plan for Nigeria”
--
Jana T. Sweeny
Development Outreach
and Communications Specialist (DOC)
USAID/Nigeria
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