The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, says President Bola Tinubu is committed to improving food and nutrition security in the country as encapsulated in his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

On Thursday, Mr Bagudu said this in Abuja at the 2023 edition of the Nigeria Nutrition Week, Media Sensitisation on Food and Nutrition Security.

Mr Bagudu said the Tinubu-led administration was committed to implementing a multi-faceted approach to food security. He said the approach would ensure sustainable agriculture practices, climate-smart technologies, and social protection programmes.

“This is in recognition of the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation strategies that will safeguard our food systems and enhance the nutritional well-being of our people,” stated the minister. “As part of our commitment in the just concluded COP28 in Dubai, the government of Nigeria is prioritising the development and adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.”

Mr Bagudu added, “This will include the promotion of resilient crop varieties, efficient irrigation systems, agroforestry, and sustainable land management techniques. This is envisaged to enhance the resilience of our agricultural systems and ensure a steady supply of nutritious food to the greater number of our citizenry.”

According to the minister, the challenges posed by climate change are formidable. He expressed the belief that the challenges could be overcome through collective action and unwavering commitment.

“As you already know that Nigeria as a nation is highly dependent on agriculture for livelihoods, food security, and economic growth. However, climate change poses significant challenges to our agricultural systems, including unpredictable rainfall patterns, increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, and the spread of pests and diseases.

“All of these affect crop yields, livestock productivity, and the overall availability of food with attendant negative consequences on the nutritional status of the vulnerable group, particularly women and children,” the minister said.

Mr Bagudu also explained that the federal government would adopt all the recommendations advanced during COP28 to mitigate the effect of the prevailing climate change.

(NAN)