Osun To Coordinate FG’s Food Sufficiency Programme In Southwest States

Osun State has been appointed by the Federal Government as the coordinating point for the implementation of the Food System Transformation Pathways in the South West geopolitical zone.

The initiative is targeted at boosting nutritious and sufficient food production in Nigeria.

The Food System Transformation Pathways was initiated by the United Nations to facilitate well-functioning food systems that will provide higher incomes for smallholder farmers and small/medium scale food enterprises, empower women, increase youths’ employment, and increase the amount of money circulating in the economy.

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said the goals of the Food System Transformation Pathways by 2030 include reducing poverty, reducing unemployment, especially among youths, reducing hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, reducing food imports and promote sustainable food trade, increasing women’s empowerment in agriculture index score and increasing environmental performance index score.

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The statement noted that the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, H.E Atiku Bagudu, CON, in a letter
addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke, said the implementation of the Food System Transformation Pathways in Oyo and Ekiti states will be coordinated from Osun state.

The statement added that the letter was copied to Adeleke’s counterparts in Oyo and Ekiti states.

The Minister noted that the decision is in line with the effort of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration step towards achieving nutritious and food security as well as meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) objectives in the country.

The statement quoted the Minister as saying, “Your Excellency may wish to be informed that the coordination of the Three States in the South West Zone is part of efforts to complement the steps towards achieving nutritious and food security as well as SDGs in Nigeria. This is also part of the step being taken to deepen the achievement of Nigeria as presented at the Stock Taking Moment (STM) in Rome that was led by H.E Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON from 24-26 July, 2023,” the letter conveying the appointment of Osun state reads in part.

“The coordination arrangement is to consolidate on the agreed recommendations at the Retreat of the State Commissioners of Economic Planning, Agriculture and Health held in Abuja from 7- 8 March 2024 that reiterated the need for quarterly review of implementation on geopolitical zonal basis.

“The Honourable Commissioners for Economic Planning, Agriculture and Health in all the 36 States plus the FCT will therefore be expected to work together for effective delivery of the implementation strategy and multisectoral plan of action for food and Nutrition.”