The need for key players and stakeholders in the nations food and Agricultural space to adopt a climate friendly and smart practices that would increase food production and sustain ecological health has again been emphasised.
This was the focus at this year’s Nigeria Sustainable Agriculture conference held in Lagos.
In a message to the occassion, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari noted that the theme of the conference “sustaining Ecology for food production, the role of food producers, Agric investors and policy Makers” was apt especially as many small holder farmers across the country in recent times have continued to incur losses due to draught, flooding and other climate related challenges.
The minister who was represented by a Director in the Federal Ministry of Agricuture and Food Security, Mr Iwara Edet said the ministry is open to information sharing and more collaboration with keyplayers to ensure that the nations quest for food Sovereignty is achieved.
According to him, “the focus of this conference is in line with the ministry programmes of ensuring a level playground for all especially the youths “
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Convener of the programme and lead Strategist of an Agro Consult, Mr Babtunde Olarewaju charged the participants whom are mostly youths to transform the challenges in the food spaces into opportunities through embracing good practices and use of technology.
In a panel section, Three of the panelists: Rahmat Eyinfunjowo, Olaoluwa Bamigboye and Olawale Ojo suggested improvement on cold chain systems, processing hubs and other logistic network to help reduces post harvest losses and improve farmers access to local and export market.
The participants noted that policy support and implementation, regulations and allocating resources by governments, regulatory agencies and global institutions play critical role in shaping a sustainable food system and security of the country.
Reporting by Martina Ogbonna