The Oyo State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration on food and nutrition security through the promotion of the “All Homes, A Garden” initiative across the state.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging households to cultivate food crops and vegetables in their backyards to improve access to fresh, nutritious, and locally produced food, particularly for children and women.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, stated this while receiving the Chief, Child Nutrition and Development, UNICEF, Nemat Hajeebhey, who led a team from the organisation on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Ibadan.
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Olaleye said the “All Homes, A Garden” initiative would encourage families to cultivate gardens within their homes,.
He noted that food produced locally would provide households with fresh and nutritious alternatives to processed foods.
He stressed that improved household food production would complement the government’s efforts towards achieving food security and improving the nutritional wellbeing of the people.
The Commissioner said the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in Oyo State had invested significantly in the agricultural sector, noting that the food security being experienced in the state and neighbouring states was supported by the government’s huge investment in agriculture.
He disclosed that under the government’s 50 percent tractorisation subsidy programme, about 39,000 acres of farmland had been ploughed across the state, with the government bearing 50 percent of the cost of land preparation for beneficiaries.
The Commissioner noted that the investment was part of the administration’s deliberate efforts to expand agricultural production, support farmers and strengthen the state’s food system.
Deeper Collaboration
Olaleye called for deeper collaboration between UNICEF and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, particularly in areas that would improve household food production, nutrition and the wellbeing of vulnerable groups.
On her part, Nemat Hajeebhey, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening the food and nutrition system in Oyo State to promote the healthy growth and development of children and women, particularly pregnant women.
She acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development towards improving food and nutrition security in the state, noting that the contribution to addressing nutrition-related challenges could not be underestimated.
Hajeebhey stated that strengthening collaboration among relevant stakeholders remained critical to ensuring that children and women have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food.
Earlier, the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Olaide Azeez, welcomed the UNICEF delegation to the Ministry and expressed the Ministry’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at improving food and nutrition outcomes in the state.
She noted that agriculture remained central to addressing food and nutrition challenges, stressing the importance of collaboration among relevant government institutions and development partners.
Part of the team that accompanied Nemat Hajeebhey on the visit were the Data Officer, UNICEF, Bolu Ogunjimi; the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Services, Office of the Head of Service, Oyo State, Lateef Osungbekun; and the Director of Nutrition, Ministry of Health, Oyo State, Dr Alarape, among others.
