Nigeria unveils 10-yr programme to combat malnutrition

Worried by the abysmal level of food safety in the country which is deteriorating at a frightening rate, the Federal Government yesterday unveiled a programme tagged Agricultural Sector Food Security and Nutrition Strategy as part of a concerted effort to drastically reduce malnutrition and enhance food insecurity in the country.
 
Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

While launching the strategy, which will be implemented over a decade, Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who was represented by Prof. Abubakar Hafiz, Deputy Governor of Kano State, said the document would serve as a guide towards ensuring the safety of food throughout the various stages of production, preparation and storage.

Ogbeh said the strategy would help the country to tackle malnutrition challenges, adding that “With this strategy, agriculture and food systems in Nigeria are being deliberately harnessed to boost nutrition.

“It is expected that the successful implementation of the strategy will translate to a sustainable reduction of malnutrition thus, unlocking the immense potential of generations for economic growth.’’

Professor Sandy Thomas, Director of the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition and co-host of the launching, said the strategy would help support policy makers in the country to make informed decisions.

Thomas said one in three persons in the country is malnourished, noting that the menace would rise if necessary actions were not taken.

She suggested more investments to scale up nutrition programmes in the country.


“Meeting the 2015 World Health Assembly target for stunting will add 29.7 billion to Nigeria’s income,’’ she said.

Comments

  1. Unknown11 May 2017 at 03:23

    When will government begin to give traction to some of these seemingly unattainable plans.
    The earlier we move from planning to implementation, the better for the citizens and reputation of the government.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown11 May 2017 at 04:12

      It is a 10-year strategy. The challenge really is that the next government may abandon the programme

      Delete
    2. Unknown11 May 2017 at 04:12

      It is a 10-year strategy. The challenge really is that the next government may abandon the programme

      Delete

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