The Federal Government in collaboration with the United Nation (UN) has organised a rural community stakeholders’ food systems dialogue in Kogi community.
The dialogue is aimed at identifying practices and policies that would enhance food availability and affordability for all in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) vision 2030.
The Food Systems Dialogue summit held at Adogo community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, had in attendance, stakeholders such as rural farmers, food processors, artisans, business women and men; market women, youths, health workers, traditional and religious leaders.
The National Program Coordinator, IFAD-VCDP, Alhaji Garba Bala, said the rural food system dialogue was to enable the stakeholders rub minds, encourage creativity, equity and connections.
Bala, who was represented by Mr Sunday Agama, noted that the dialogue had been done at national and regional levels but it was discovered that the policy document that was produced was not effective because it was developed through a top-bottom level approach.
According to him, the aim of the dialogue is to identify practices and policies that will enhance availability and affordability of food in the country.
Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture Mr David Apeh, said by the state government’s estimation, Kogi is capable of feeding the North Central zone and by extension the country at large.
Mr Isa Yakubu, the Secretary of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Ajaokuta, called on the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and NAFDAC to ensure that standard and quality farm inputs such as chemicals and seeds are sold to farmers.
According to Yakubu, most of the pesticides, herbicides and seeds the farmers were buying are substandard products which are having negative effects on their farm produce.
Another participant, a Fulani herder and farmer, Mr Bello Umar, urged the federal government to ensure that the activities of fake herders were checkmated especially the strangers among them.
John Adama, Lokoja
