WFD: Investment In Agriculture Panacea For Food Sufficiency - Ebokpo
By Ebi COLLINS
Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo has posited that government at all levels must plough hugely into agriculture if Nigeria must make any significant strides in ensuring food sufficiency amid global food insecurity.
Ebokpo who made the assertion in his address at the event of the 2023 World Food Day, held in the conference hall of Calabar Municipal Council, averred that Cross River State is seeking alternative means of fighting food shortages.
The Agriculture and Irrigation Development Commissioner further opined that such could only be possible through the utilisation of contemporary skills, technology and ways as the call to return to agriculture overwhelms national and international discourses.
“The ministry is here to raise awareness on the need to eat healthily, showcasing better approaches to preparing meals, as well as providing alternative means of fighting food insecurity through the exploitation of modern skills, systems and strategies as I urge you to return to agriculture.
“The focus of the day is that food is a basic and fundamental human right, yet in a world of billions, over 820 million people worldwide are suffering chronic malnutrition.
“Sixty percent women and almost five million children under the age of five die of malnutrition related causes everyday.
“While millions go hungry, 672 million people suffer from obesity and a further 1.3 billion are overweight, we can change this through our action and initiatives,” Ebokpo remarked.
At the two-day event themed “Water is life, water is food, leave no one behind,” Ebokpo maintained that sustainable agriculture enhances the production of more nutritious food and keeps the ecosystems healthy, adding that effective use of fresh water avoids unnecessary waste, makes it possible to irrigate fields and enhances crop yields and health of communities.
He listed some interventions by the present administration in the state to guarantee food security to include: Project Grow, cassava value chain development programme, cocoa regeneration and development programme, irrigation development program and cadre harmonize programme.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development, Ntufam Emmanuel Anom, emphasised the need for a investment into aquaculture to provide sea food, generate wealth and create employment in line with the people first mantra of the governor Bassey Otu-led administration.
Presenting a paper on “water quality in food processing,” Prof Ima Williams of the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Calabar, harped on improved sanitation around food processing environment, simple water treatment methods where tap water is unavailable as well as stakeholder collaboration to fight waterborne diseases.
Also in an expository presentation on the subject: "impact of climate change on food production and availability,” Prof Mary Mgbekem of the Department of Nursing, University of Calabar, stated that “there is urgent need to create more climate resilient food systems and a healthier planet.”
The erudite scholar also proffered that government should formulate quick fix policies to improve food production with recourse to climate change adaptability.
Speaking earlier, the District Governor of Lions Club International, District 404A2 - Nigeria, Lion Charles Itu, advocated for a multi sectoral partnerships to offer humanitarian assistance to the marginalized, most vulnerable, refugees displaced population as well as those affected by climate change.
