As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate 2022 World Food Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Federal Government jointly disclosed that global solutions are needed to tackle the escalating global food crisis and to transform Nigeria’s agri-food systems.
FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Fred Kafeero, during a media conference and as part of activities commemorating the 2022 World Food Day in Abuja, disclosed that fighting hunger and malnutrition is a daunting task, while appealing for concerted action from all stakeholders.
World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16th to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all. The theme for this year is “Leaving no one behind, better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life”.
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Kafeero noted that as food insecurity worsens, so does the risk of malnutrition, as he disclosed that analysis carried out at the beginning of this year indicated that approximately 19.4 million people faced food insecurity in 21 states and the FCT, and that about 2 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, on his own, noted that the main objective of World Food Day is to celebrate the promotion of food security around the world, especially during difficult times.
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Abubakar urged all relevant stakeholders to come together to bring about the solution that the world needs to tackle the crisis that has resulted in food scarcity and affected global food supply, adding that Nigerians should eat mindfully and consider that millions of people are unable to afford one meal for themselves.
“We need to rededicate ourselves to this very important event and its purpose by drawing attention through global awareness, bold action, and innovation to enhance effectively the channels that make our food systems stronger and more equitable.”
