Country Coordinator, Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa, Nigeria Chapter, Dr. Rose Maxwell Gidado participated in the United Nations Food Systems dialogue held in the South Eastern Nigeria. The National Dialogues for the food systems summit held to raise global awareness and shape global commitments towards mobilizing food systems to address hunger, reduce diet-related diseases and strengthen health care systems.
Dr. Gidado facilitated the group on ‘Boost Nature-Positive Production, held discussions with stakeholders in the group and came out with a communique. Stakeholders in the meeting are unanimous in their resolve that the use of innovative technologies especially Agricultural Biotechnology to boost production is the way forward. Other action track groups created during the summit to address each of the United Nation’s action tracks apart from the Group on Boost Nature-Positive Production include groups to Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; Shift to sustainable consumption patterns; Advance equitable livelihoods and build resilience to vulnerabilities and Vulnerabilities, Shocks and Stresses.
The Summit is part of actions geared towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, by 2030 as driven by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. UN Member States are encouraged to organize their national dialogues ahead of the global food systems dialogue scheduled for September 2021. This Nigerian National dialogue held in the south eastern Nigeria was participatory and all inclusive. Bottom- top approach was adopted hence everyone was carried along including farmers, aggregators, processors, marketers and environmentalists amongst others. The dialogue was aimed at creating a platform for all stakeholders to explore ways of making transformation happen by delivering on all the 17 SDGs.
Three separate dialogues were expected to take place as Nigeria continues its drive towards attaining food security: Inception, Exploratory and Consolidatory. The inception ceremony of the United Nations Food Systems Summit Dialogue for Nigeria held in Abuja in February 2021. It was attended by the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. During the meeting, the VP said that the issue of developing a sustainable food system has never been more urgent. According to Professor Osinbajo, Nigeria was faced with a population that exceeds growing figures as well as reeling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is the need for the country to embrace environmentally friendly approaches while seeking to achieve food security.
On the other hand, the first Exploratory dialogue held in Owerri, Imo State on Tuesday, 6th April 2021. All stakeholders from the agricultural sector, health sector, farmer groups, food industries, marketers, technology groups, civil societies, the policy makers and government officials were all in attendance. In his welcome remarks, the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture, Imo State, Dr. Lambert Orisakwe said it was common knowledge that the country has had several disruptions in agriculture and the food system industry on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.