World Food Day: Anambra Govt Seeks Sustainable Food Systems, Stakeholders Support
By Chukwuka Ugokwe
Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment towards promoting intervention measures aimed at enhancing food security for a sustainable future.
The State Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, stated this at a press briefing in commemoration of this year’s World Food Day.
The Commissioner described the World Food Day marked on 16th Oct annually as impactful, pointing out that stakeholders collaboration was key to delivering economic prosperity and wellbeing to the people of the state.
He called on all stakeholders, communities and individuals to join in a globally coordinated effort towards achieving food security and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
According to him, the theme for this year’s celebration, “Food For Better Life And Better Future”, resonates with the urgent need to promote sustainable food systems and combat global hunger currently facing over 733 million people.
“In Anambra, we recognize that food security is not just about availability, but also about nutrition, safety, access, utilisation and stability.
“It is a critical area that shapes our social and economic landscape and it reinforces our commitment towards building sustainable agricultural systems”
Commissioner Ihejiofor enumerated projects undertaken by the state government to include: free distribution of 2,200,000 combination of Oil Palm and staple crops seedlings to over 250,000 residents for enhanced food security, livelihood resilience and sustainable value chain economic growth.
According to him, other intervention measures are: Farm to feed campaign, completed and on going strategic statewide infrastructural projects, workshops and trainings, as well as upcoming events such as farmers markets, food security symposium and community outreach programs.
“As we celebrate World Food Day, let us recommit ourselves to our regenerative agricultural policy, thus, protecting our environment, enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring that every citizen has access to healthy and nutritious food”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, stressed the need to maximize the limited available agricultural land through efficient use of resources for a better food security system.
She, then, highlighted some of the activities undertaken by the Ministry to mark this year’s World Food Day to include, Road Walk/awareness creation, tour of demonstration backyard farms to illustrate the importance of “operation farm to feed programme” as well as “Healthy Living Initiative” introduced by the State Governor’s Wife, Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo.
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