This year, the Federal Government has said that it will host a conference on agricultural and food security. Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, revealed this information on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with Dr. Donal Brown, the Associate Vice President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
According to him, the summit’s goal was to unite a wide range of strategic stakeholders and organizational partners from the governmental, commercial, and nonprofit sectors.
According to Kyari, stakeholders will be dedicated to developing innovative ideas and cutting-edge technologies for the empowerment of smallholder farmers and inclusive agri-food system transformation. He praised IFAD for being a powerful force in tackling hitherto unseen problems with the world food system.
”Nigeria is committed to working closely with IFAD on inclusive agri-food system transformation and smallholder farmers’ empowerment. Also, our commitment to partnership with IFAD on Innovative Finance for Food Systems is evident in our participation in the United Nations Food System Stocktaking Moment in July 2023,” he said.
He expressed confidence that promoting inclusive agri-food system transformation, smallholder farmers’s empowerment, and innovative financing was the way to go. The minister assured IFAD of the federal government’s strong commitment to their multilateral partnership.
Earlier, Brown reiterated IFAD’s continued support for the federal government. He said that Nigeria was one of IFAD`s strongest partners, saying that one of his missions was to strengthen and deepen the partnership. Brown said that some of the key projects that Nigeria had identified have had a significant impact on improving production.
Food Security: FG and IFAD partner to promote inclusive agri-food system
In other places, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating closely with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on the empowerment of smallholder farmers and inclusive agri-food system transformation.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made this statement on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with Dr. Donal Brown, the Associate Vice President of IFAD for Nigeria.
According to Kyari, IFAD’s emphasis on innovation for a food-secure future, as demonstrated at the organization’s most recent 47th Session of the Governing Council in Rome, is a positive move. He praised IFAD for being a powerful force in tackling hitherto unseen problems with the world food system.
”Nigeria is committed to working closely with IFAD on inclusive agri-food system transformation and smallholder farmers’ empowerment. Our commitment to partner with IFAD on innovative finance for the food system is evident in our participation in the United Nations Food System Stocktaking Moment in July 2023.
“There is no doubt that the trio of inclusive agri-food system transformation, smallholder farmers’ empowerment, and innovative financing are levels of change that offer a unique opportunity to accelerate global food system growth,” he said. The minister appreciated IFAD for her fidelity to due diligence in the existing operations of the Federal Government and IFAD portfolios.
”The smooth implementation of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), Additional Financing (AF), and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) Programme underscores the unique quality of our strategic partnership.
”It is my strong belief that some of the next steps in the implementation of LIFE-ND, which include the approval of a one-year extension, a request for $20 million, Additional Financing (AF), and preparation of LIFE-ND phase two, will be given accelerated attention,” he said.
He said that Nigeria is committed to IFAD’s future trajectory, ”especially and essentially on leveraging innovation for agri-food system transformation.” ”In line with this pathway, the Federal Government of Nigeria is prepared to organise an agriculture and food security summit this year,” he said.
Earlier, Brown reiterated IFAD’s continued support for the federal government. He said that Nigeria was one of IFAD`s strongest partners, saying that one of his missions was to strengthen and deepen the partnership. Brown said that some of the key projects that Nigeria had identified have had a significant impact on improving production.
