Addis ababa: Vice-President Kashim Shettima has shed light on the rationale behind President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a 'State of Emergency on Agriculture.' Shettima's remarks were made during a session titled 'Country Perspectives: Government-led Strategies and Regional Framework' at the ongoing UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the session convened African leaders and policymakers to exchange experiences and strategies aimed at fortifying national and local food systems. The discussions centered on promoting food sovereignty through inclusive policies supporting self-sufficiency, sustainable agriculture, and equitable access to nutritious food. Shettima emphasized that any nation lacking independence in food sovereignty could not claim full sovereignty.
When President Tinubu took office, he encountered a nation grappling with severe challenges. Shettima explained that the state of food emergency was declared out of genuine concern for the welfare of the Nigerian people, particularly in conflict-affected areas like the North-East, where Boko Haram's activities have exacerbated food insecurity. The government has since introduced bold policy guidelines aimed at strengthening Nigeria's food system, including the establishment of Presidential Food System Coordinating Units to enhance food delivery and support mechanisms in regions like the North East.
Shettima also expressed gratitude to the World Food Programme and other multilateral agencies for their support. He highlighted initiatives to encourage displaced people to produce their food, fostering resilience and dignity. In the Sahelian region, the government is implementing robust policies to prevent despair by enhancing strategic grain reserves and empowering smallholder farmers, women, and youths through incentives.
Shettima stressed that Nigeria's agricultural approach should be market-driven, focusing on increasing yields, embracing modern agricultural practices, mechanization, improved seeds, and better agricultural methods. To support this, the government is strengthening extension services to provide farmers with up-to-date data on rainfall patterns, enabling them to manage climate shocks effectively.
Earlier, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted the plight of over 37 million children under five facing acute malnutrition this year, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions to build resilient food systems. Mohammed called for transformation over dependency, urging leaders to combine global, digital, and traditional knowledge to create inclusive and resilient food systems. She emphasized the importance of coordination, adequate finance, genuine partnerships, and inclusion to impact people's lives positively.
Other speakers at the session included Cindy Mccain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Salah Jama, Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, and Moubarack Rounbo from Chad's Ministry of Agricultural Production and Industrialization.