SEYI TAIWO-OGUNTUASE
Experts in the agricultural sector have stressed the need to strategise in order to enhance effectiveness of the food system in the country.
The Stakeholders in their separate presentations at the 11th Annual summit of the Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS), with the theme “Agenda for Sustainable Development and Food Security” in Lagos are also of the opinion that the food systems that deliver healthy people, planet, and economy will require strategic partnerships across development finance, countries, philanthropy, the private sector, and civil society organisations.
Dr Adetunji Oredipe, an Agric Economist with World Bank in his presentation urged the government to shift focus towards driving an integrated food system’s agenda that promote new ways of doing business, in pursuits of healthy people, environment, and the economy, addressing market and institutional incentives.
He said that agriculture has the potential to lift people out of poverty, that it is the sector best-placed to deliver growth that benefits the poorest and most vulnerable.
“As the world spiraled towards a full-blown food crisis in the wake of the war in Ukraine, we have the opportunity to turn the crisis into an opportunity, by acting now to prepare for and prevent future food crises.
“We can unlock the full potential of partners to drive structural change—if we garner the political will to do so—and take multiple actions across multiple sectors, replicating successful interventions, leveraging significant public and private expenditures, and capturing increasing returns to scale on investments.
He pointed out that an investment now will pay long-term dividends—an investment in future generations.
According to him, the systems approach will be achieved through “five I’s”: innovation, incentives, institutions, investment, and information.
Explaining further, he stated that innovations to create knowledge and encourage the adoption of new ways to produce and consume food; incentives to overcome inertia, cultural food habits, and barriers to change; institutions to address governance and administrative accountabilities and obstacles and create the capacity in the public sector to enable change; investments to address the costs of adjustment and mitigate risks faced by private investors; and information to create champions for change.
Oredipe, said that improving Agricultural sector growth and transformation Productivity growth (Rejuvenated Research and Extension Services) will further ensure food security in the country.
He said that the government should enhance competitiveness (Market Development), and greater diversification of the production base and the whole agricultural value chain, stressing that supporting Agribusiness SMEs will play a critical role in linking smallholder producers to national markets, meeting food demand, and creating job opportunities.
Speaking further he explained that Smart nations are embarking on policy commitment of developing Food Security Crisis Preparedness Plans (FSCPPs) and that the plans define what constitutes a major food and nutrition security crisis for a country and prompts timely, early action across government, humanitarian, and development partners to prevent and mitigate the impacts of the crisis.
“The journey towards transformation must focus on fixing incentives that govern how food is produced, consumed, and financed.
“New programmes must focus on new frontiers including digital agriculture, high quality practices in agriculture using data and innovation; and prioritisation of investment projects on improved use of agricultural data.
“Governments must examine how to turn a recent crisis into an opportunity—rethinking
distorting and expensive incentives, for example, and reconsidering agricultural subsidies to farmers.
He added that changing incentives by repurposing agricultural public support can help transform food systems to become more resilient and deliver the triple wins: healthy people, healthy planet, and healthy economy.
Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner Lagos state Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in her presentation at the summit is optimistic that through integrated stakeholders’ engagement, Nigeria has the power to transform these challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.
Olusanya, who was represented at the summit by Emmanuel Audu, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said that food security is more than just having enough food on the table, that it’s about ensuring that everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food at all times.
According to her, “Food security is a cornerstone of any stable and prosperous society it ensures that every individual has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead a healthy life.
“In Nigeria, despite our rich agricultural heritage and potential, we face significant challenges in achieving this goal. Thus, addressing these challenges through a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving all stakeholders is the major step to towards achieving food Security.
“To achieve these goals, she pointed out that the diversity of stakeholders involved in the food system must first be recognise; from farmers to consumers, policymakers to researchers, and everyone in between, that each stakeholder plays a crucial role.
“By bringing these diverse voices together, we can harness their collective wisdom and resources to create sustainable solutions.”
She identified the primary challenges hindering the nation’s food security and self-sufficiency to include; Fragmented Agricultural Practices, Inadequate Infrastructure, Financial Constraints, Policy and Regulatory Gaps, Climate Change, Insecurities, Conversion of Land Designated to Agriculture to Housing Estate, among others.
To address these challenges and enhance food security and self-sufficiency, according to her adopting an integrated approach that brings together all stakeholders in the agricultural value chain is the way to go.
“This stakeholder includes government agencies, private sector players, financial institutions, research institutions, non-governmental organizations, Agripreneurs, and, importantly, the farmers themselves.”
Olusanya also said that the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems has conducted several stakeholders‘ engagement for some food value chain actors in the past which has tremendously guided and structured the Planning, Budgeting, and implementation of the several projects and programs initiatives of the State.
Speaking further she said enhancing food security and self-sufficiency in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole is an achievable goal if we embrace integrated stakeholders’ engagement.
“By working together, we can overcome the challenges facing our agricultural sector and unlock its full potential. Let us commit to fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in our efforts to ensure that every Nigerian has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
“I am confident that through our collective efforts, we can build a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector that will secure the future of our state and our nation”, she added.
Also, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, Director General of DAWN in his keynote address said that Nigeria’s Food and Nutrition Policy aims to improve the nutritional status of all Nigerians, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly.
He pointed out that the national and regional food security issues in Nigeria, particularly in the Southwest region, are complex and multifaceted.
He said based on the DAWN Commission’s study, several key factors contribute to food insecurity: which according to him include; Low Budget Allocation to the Agricultural Sector, Land Tenure Conflicts, Inadequate Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Shortage of Extension Service Staff, Insecurity, Knowledge Gap in Agriculture among others.
He said these factors collectively contribute to reduced agricultural productivity, lower food production, and increased food insecurity in Nigeria, with particular impact on the Southwest region.
Oyeleye, explained that the DAWN Commission is making efforts towards combating these lingering issues and as a development-oriented Commission, it has embarked on various measures to mitigate the adverse effect of food and nutrition insecurity, particularly in Southwest.
“We collaborate with various stakeholders towards making the Region a preferred place for people to visit, live, work and invest – including the Commissioners for Agriculture of each State and other Commodity Associations across the Region.
“One of the first achievements in the first quarter of this year was having a uniform agricultural grading fee for commodities across the Region. “Each Southwest state agreed to this implementation and we also extended this invitation to Edo State in order to prevent cross border exploitation.
Speaking further the DAWN Director General,noted that based on the assessed needs of farmers and in collaborative effort between the Commission and the Commissioners for Agriculture, work is ongoing to ensure that there is massive land clearing for ease of production and mechanization; adoption of cluster farming model; revitalisation of moribund dams and allocation of surrounding agricultural lands for integrated, year-round farming to stabilise food prices; enforcement of anti-grazing law to mitigate farmers herders crisis; increase in production with focus on short term crops like maize, potatoes, and vegetables; improved data-driven approach to ensure productivity, profitability, oversight, traceability, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
Beyond the DAWN Commission’s efforts, according to him, addressing food insecurity in the region requires a more people-oriented engagement within the agricultural sector,
“The sector presents numerous lucrative investment opportunities, particularly in the Southwest region, where food security is a critical concern. Valuable resources such as land, capital, and experience can be effectively channeled into the agricultural sector.
“The underlying philosophy is to promote and support existing farmers by helping them optimize their current capacities.” He added.
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