The federal government and the United Nations have called for a holistic approach to achieving a sustainable food chain in Nigeria.

The call was made at the pre-food systems stock-taking moments media engagement on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) jointly organised the event.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Nebeolisa Anako, said a food system entailed complex networks that include input and output of food production processes and consumption.

“The food system problem has been on transportation of food from the farm, getting the seedlings to plant, to the time we plant. Down to the table to managing the waste; our effort is to reduce hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition,” the official noted.

He added, “We want to drastically reduce food importation and promote sustainable food trade as a country, and we are getting there. This is a project that concerns all of us.”

Ernest Umakhihe, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the call became important for African stakeholders to ensure food security.

Mr Umakhihe said, “As we are all aware, our country is facing a severe crisis in line with the recent declaration on the state of emergency on food security and water by President Bola Tinubu. The declaration demands our utmost intention and collective efforts to address the perceived challenges and explore the prospects of sustainable food security in Nigeria.”

UNIC director Ronald Kayanja commended Nigeria’s efforts toward ensuring food security and stressed that “everybody in Nigeria needs to mobilise to ensure food security after the president’s declaration of emergency in the food sector.” 

Mr Kayanja added, “The progress and success in Nigeria are immeasurable on what can be done, but there are challenges that must be tackled, irrespective of the land size.”

(NAN)