The Kwara Government has partner stakeholders in the promotion of nutrition, good health through subsistence farming in schools and households.
The programme is an initiative of the Kwara Government and the Food Systems Transformation Pathways (FSTP) of the United Nation (UN).
The programme is a workshop to sensitize stakeholders on the need for sustainable food production through farming.
Speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Mrs Ronke Arinde, stated that the UN’s approach to transforming food systems involves developing national pathways.
This, she said, also includes fostering collaboration, and implementing actions across various sectors.
She explained that these pathways are designed to address food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and equitable livelihoods.
Arinde noted that this initiative was conceived at the United Nation meeting held in 2020 to arrest the eminent food shortages envisaged to occur, as a result of the devastating effects of Covid-19 epidemic.
She explained that the Federal Government sets up Food Systems core group, with expertise from almost all facets of the society.
According to her, there are three thematic areas of the programme in the first Phase, out of the 72 thematic areas that was initiated earlier.
“These three conceivable recommendations includes School Farm, Homestead gardern and Farm Estate,” she said.
She called on all stakeholders to join hands in this initiative, adding that sustainable livelihood, good nutrition and food security does not differ in each household’s agenda.
In her goodwill message, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam observed that the transformation of the nation’s food systems is not just a global agenda-it is a local imperative.
According to her a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food system is essential for achieving optimal heath outcomes, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring economie stability for our people.
El-Imam who was represented by Dr Habeeb Lawal, the Kwara State Nutrition Officer warned that poor nutrition remains a major driver of disease and inequality in our communities.
“However, with food system transformation, we have an opportunity to turn this around and beyond improving nutrition, the benefits of well-structured food system pathways are far-reaching,” she said.
She explained that the ministry is in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to invest in food diversification and homestead gardening.
El-Imam pointed out the need to fight malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups through sustainable food production in the country.
In her goodwill message, the Kwara Commissioner for Livestock, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas there is need for the state to practice cluster farming in order to achiev good security.
According to her, cluster farming or backyard farming enhanced food security, improved nutrition, and potential income generation.
Thomas emphasized the use of technological innovation and collaboration to boost food security in the country.
