FG Committed to eradicating hunger – Lokpobiri

·       Decries Herdsmen/Farmers Crises

 The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri

The Federal Government has assured of its total commitment to the zero hunger goals by the year 2030 and has promised to increase the present tempo of strong agricultural activities in the country to attain this national objective. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri gave the commitment recently in Abuja.

This was contained in a press release issued on behalf of Director of Information of the ministry by Mrs. Kemi Ogunmakinwa and made available to FoodFarmNews.

Senator Lokpobiri who reportedly spoke at a symposium to mark the 2018 World Food Day Celebration with the theme: "Our Actions are Our Future: A Zero Hunger World by 2030 is Possible," said that the goal of zero hunger by 2030 was achievable and that “in the next 12 years, Nigeria will join the League of Nations who would be able to feed the world” but noted that this projection could only be attained if all Nigerians see and treat Agriculture as serious business rather than mere occupation.

The Minister also wanted Nigeria to take advantage of its rapidly growing population to seriously invest in agriculture with the private sector taking the lead in this national project; while the Government provides the enabling environment since it is proven that Government is not proficient in business management.

He also challenged all state governments in the country to commit at least five percent of their annual budgets to agriculture, to demonstrate their collective determination to grow agriculture and upscale our national productivity.

The Minister who was full of praises for Kebbi, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Ogun, Benue states etc., for their huge investments in agriculture urged other states of the federation to emulate the worthy examples of these states, saying the goal of achieving the objective of attaining zero hunger for our beloved country could only be achieved through collaboration and collective efforts of the three arms of government and the private sector.

According to the minister, if Nigeria is able to feed itself, it would have been able to solve the issue of hunger and malnutrition in the black race and by extension Africa, which is, "a bold step in guaranteeing food for all in the world."

While observing that the world has made remarkable progress in the fight against hunger, a development that has led to decline in the number of the poor and the hungry people in the world, he however regretted that this success is being threatened by high growth in global population.

                                                                                                                          Lokpobiri also expressed great concerns on threats militating against the country's quest to achieve self sufficiency in food production, because of the current crises between herdsmen and farmers in some northern parts of the country.

"Prolonged crisis in some crises points especially incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers especially in the North Eastern part of the country are also serious issues of concern," the minister said.

The Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Nigeria, Suffyan Koroma stated that the organisation, for the past 40 years in Nigeria has been working closely with the Government of Nigeria to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems, with great optimism towards achieving Zero Hunger in the country.

He said achieving Zero Hunger was FAO’s shared commitment, which could be achieved through a right based approach and appreciated the continued commitment of the Government of Nigeria in forging strong partnerships for nourishing, nurturing and growing a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria where all Nigerians can thrive and contribute to nation’s socio-economic development.

He said at least 1.5 billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies that undermine their health and lives.

Mr. Koroma said the world does not only have to worry about Malnutrition but also increasing cases of obesity in adult which needs to be looked into.

 “However, the growing rate of undernourished people is not the only big challenge we are facing. Other forms of malnutrition have also increased. In 2017, at least 1.5 billion people suffered from micronutrient deficiencies that undermine their health and lives. At the same time, the proportion of adult obesity continues to rise from 11.7 percent in 2012 to 13.3 percent in 2016. Hunger is mainly circumscribed to specific areas, namely those ravaged by conflicts, droughts and extreme poverty. If we do not call for urgent actions to halt the increasing obesity rates, we soon may have more obese than undernourished people in the World,” he said.

The rest of the statement reads: For Nigeria, this call-to-action is for everyone – governments, the private sector, NGOs, the public – to do their part to turn the vision into a reality.

The Zero Hunger Challenge promotes integrated approaches that respond to the multiple, interconnected causes of hunger and malnutrition. The comprehensiveness of the approach reflects the need to transform agriculture and food systems to deliver improved nutrition and sustainable and resilient rural communities. There are five key elements in the ZHC vision which include:

·        Zero stunted children less than 2 years

·        100% access to adequate food all year round

·        All food systems are sustainable

·        100% increase in smallholder productivity and income

·        Zero loss or waste of food

For Nigeria, the Zero Hunger vision should symbolize a nation that is free from hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty, achieved through an integrated approach and the transformation of food systems, which is fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda and which sets out the goals and targets that we must achieve to make this vision a reality. Such targets are categorized as follows:

        i.            End hunger and ensure access to food by all people

      ii.            End all forms of malnutrition

    iii.            Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers

    iv.            Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices

      v.            Maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants, and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species.

Government has the most fundamental role in achieving Zero Hunger by ensuring that vulnerable people have sufficient income to buy the food they need, or the means to produce it for themselves – even in times of conflict. This however does not exclude the important role of the private sector, civil society, farmers and us as individuals.

The mission of this year’s World Food Day is to ensure the Zero Hunger Challenge in Nigeria bring together all stakeholders to communicate the importance of food security, nutrition and inclusive, sustainable and resilient agriculture. This year’s World Food Day Theme therefore reminds us of our continued commitment for tackling hunger and eradicating it in our lifetime. We continue to create awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and ensure food security and nutritious diets for all as a fundamental human right. Every individual is called upon to buy only what he or she needs, store food wisely, love food leftovers, donate foods that would otherwise be wasted and know where every food comes from and put waste foods to use.

The World Food Day is celebrated each year on 16th of October in commemoration of the establishment of the United Nations Organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, to attract global attention and promote awareness as well as marshal action plans internationally to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar.