KWSG SENSITIZES STAKEHOLDERS ON FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION PATHWAYS

The Kwara State Government has sensitised stakeholders from Ministries, School Principals and Agriculture Teachers in Public Schools on Food Systems Transformation Pathway.

Speaking recently at the workshop organised for stakeholders, which was held at Fresh Hotel, Fate Road, GRA, Ilorin, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr (Mrs) Mary Arinde, stated that the intense divergent views and extensive deliberations are aimed at finding an acceptable modality for food production, preservation, sustainability and to have an all inclusive participation by the stakeholders in the society.

The Commissioner stressed the need to ensure transformation of lives of the citizenry for better impact to maintain good health status through regular consumption of nutritious diets, which will equally improve the livelihoods of the people through the engagement of more farmers and women in local food production, adding that this will help to create a drive towards achieving food security for the State and the  Nation at large.

Dr Arinde appreciated the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON for providing an enabling environment for full implementation  of school farming and home gardening programmes and for encouraging the people to engage in agricultural practices, which will reduce food insecurity and increase food production.

Also speaking, the  Commissioner for Livestock  Development, Mrs Oluwatoyosi Thomas, said the Ministry is taking all necessary steps to encourage farming system at ease and increase food production in the State.

Mrs Thomas, however, assured that the Ministry will participate fully in the Food Systems Transformation Pathway in Kwara State, saying this will help the State to enhance agricultural value chain input in food production process.

"Food Systems Transformation is ready to partner with schools to have school clubs and organise a competition among the students to help us solve food insecurity in the State”, Mrs Thomas added.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, who was represented by Dr Habeeb Lawal, said the food system is not just a global agenda but a local imperative; a resilient, inclusive and sustainable system, which will enable economic stability for all residents in the State.

"Nutrition remains a major driver of disease and inequality in our community, which will help increase employment opportunities across agriculture processing, logistics and retail sectors, particularly, for youths. It will improve food security through efficient, climate smart agricultural practices, stronger value chains and reduce the cost of food, thereby, making nutritious options more affordable and accessible to all, especially, the vulnerable population",  Dr El-Imam noted.

In his welcome remarks, the Chairman, Committee for Food System Transformation Pathway, who doubles as the State Director of Planning, Alhaji Kayode Alimi, appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for his support and the rebranded agenda to increase food production in the State, urging the participants to step down the training to all relevant partners for positive changes on food production in Kwara State.

Falade Gbenga Tayo anipr,

Press Secretary,

Ministry of planning and Economic Development.

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