World Food Day: Increase Output to Tackle Hunger and Affordability, Ebokpo Charges Farmers
By Missang AKPET
Farmers and stakeholders in Cross River State's agricultural sector have been urged to catalyze their production to enhance food security, availability, and affordability.
The call was made by State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, during the 2025 World Food Day celebration in Calabar.
The commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development Elder Odey Ikongha said World Food Day is an international day celebrated every year worldwide on October 16, to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization in 1945.
"The theme for this year's World Food Day 'Hand in Hand for Better Foods and Better Futures' highlights the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Hand in Hand initiative, which fosters evidence-driven, country-led partnerships about transforming the agricultural system and strengthening food security".
He explained that the aim of this day is to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets, and however called on all stakeholders in the food systems to catalyze their production for better yield and enhance food security, availability and affordability.
Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture, Ntufam Emmanuel Anom, in his remark highlighted Nigeria's blessings and the need for collective effort to ensure food security.
He pointed out that Nigeria is blessed with Natural resources as a country while calling on all hands to be on deck for improved crop and food production.
The Vice Chairman, Multi-Stakeholders Committee on Cocoa, Coffee, and Oil Palm, Prof. Damian Agom, while speaking on the theme stressed the importance of awareness and stakeholder roles in achieving food security.
He hailed the state governor Senator Bassey Otu for consistently keying into the great initiatives which foster inclusive, consistent, multi-sectoral development, especially in the agricultural sector where which he says is one of his vissionary steps to fulfill the people's first mantra of the administration.
The event featured goodwill messages and a food exhibition by farmers from across the state, showcasing their products and initiatives.
