By Gabriel Ewepu
AS Nigerians struggle to survive amid soaring food prices, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, yesterday tasked the federal government to emulate Brazil and India in conquering hunger.
In a statement signed by the Ag. Head, Strategic Communication & Advocacy, NESG, Ayanyinka Ayanlowo, while explaining that the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #30) would focus on hunger issues affecting Nigerians at its forthcoming summit in Abuja.
”Therefore, the session will focus on sustainable solutions to combat food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in Nigeria and the broader African continent.
“According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Africa is home to 8 of the 9 countries with alarming levels of hunger, a situation that continues to threaten economic stability and development.
“Addressing this crisis is not just a moral imperative but a critical economic and social challenge.
“For Nigeria, tackling hunger is a crucial step toward achieving broader economic development and stability. Despite being a country with vast agricultural potential, food insecurity remains a significant concern, exacerbated by factors such as conflict, climate change and poverty.
“The 30th Nigerian Economic Summit will explore targeted interventions, including enhancing agricultural productivity, improving food distribution systems, and supporting smallholder farmers.
“Countries, such as Brazil, have demonstrated that with the right policies, hunger can be dramatically reduced. Brazil’s ‘Fome Zero’ (Zero Hunger) initiative has been widely praised for its success in combining social programs, agricultural subsidies and food security measures to significantly reduce hunger and poverty.
“Similarly, India’s National Food Security Act has enabled millions of citizens to access affordable food through a well-organized public distribution system, offering valuable insights for Nigeria’s food security strategy.”
According to him, there is need for collaborative efforts to ensure food security is achieved in Nigeria.
“The theme of this year’s summit, ‘Collaborative Action for Growth, Competitiveness, and Stability’, emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in tackling hunger.
”Plenary V will bring together government officials, agricultural experts, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to discuss how Nigeria can leverage partnerships and innovative approaches to create a hunger-free future.
“By improving food production, reducing post-harvest losses and addressing climate change’s impact on agriculture, Nigeria can take decisive steps to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
“Policies aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector, boosting rural infrastructure, and providing access to financial resources for small-scale farmers will also be key discussion points during the session”, he added.
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