WFD: FAO calls for research and development to advance agriculture

By Ene Okwanihe

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has called for targeted interventions on Research and Development to make farming more technologically advanced.

The FAO Representative to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Fred Kafeero made this known in Abuja during a joint media briefing with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to mark the 2021 World Food Day celebration with the theme: Our actions are our future: ‘Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life’.

Kafeero stated that functioning food systems would not only assure of enough and quality food for everyone but also environmental sustainability which is key for the development of the present and future generations.

“Every one of us has a role to play in ending hunger by changing the way we produce food, adding value to our food products and making food choices that will improve our health and reduce waste and loss of food.

“Our approach can only be effective if it’s rooted in working together with governments and key partners as they forge their own national pathways towards transformation in line with their specific conditions and needs”, he said.

OVER FOUR MILLION NIGERIANS HUNGRY/MALNOURISHED

Kafeero however disclosed that over four million Nigerians go hungry and suffer from malnutrition.

This, he said, is largely due to the challenges associated with conflicts, pests and diseases, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, economic challenges (unemployment) and devastating effects of COVID-19.

He added that this year’s theme aims to raise awareness on the need for supporting the transformation to a more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food system